A Campana-shaped vase
British (English) School
Category
Furniture
Date
1750 - 1850
Materials
Blue john, Marble
Measurements
41.0 cm (H)23.0 cm (Diameter)13.5 cm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
NT 1530311
Summary
Vase, Derbyshire fluorspar (Blue John) on a black marble base, made in England, about 1750-1850.
Full description
This vase is an exceptionally large and multi-coloured example of carved Derbyshire fluorspar also known as ‘Blue John’, a semi-precious hardstone found only in two caverns near Castleton, in the Peak District. A 1766 letter describing land "let ye Blue John, Castleton" is the earliest known refence to mining this hardstone. The distinctive blue, purple and yellow mineral quickly became a fashionable material for interior decoration and decorative household objects. A naturally brittle material, it takes great skill to carve and is often strengthened with resin or hot shellac to enable finer decoration.
Provenance
Probably the ‘Blue John Vase’ Ralph bought from Christie’s in May 1947 for £42; repaired by Mann & Fleming at a cost of £5.15.0, after the fire, in 1963.
Credit line
Rebecca Wallis
Makers and roles
British (English) School, sculptor