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Blue John Closed Urn
- This beautiful ornamental urn is carved of rare Blue John Derbyshire spar
- Crafted in a classically inspired shape, this closed urn evokes the elegance of the Georgian period
- Since the Roman era, Blue John was used to create fine decorative wares
- The now-extinct Blue John mines make pieces of this size and quality highly coveted rarities
- Get complete item description here
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Circa 1810
11 5/8" high
Discovered by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, Blue John stone is found only among the caverns of Treak Cliff Hill near Castleton in Derbyshire, England. Celebrated for its unique bands of blues, purples, and violets, Blue John was in great demand during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The colorful and decorative stone was even worked into columns in some of the finest houses in Great Britain, most notably Chatsworth, home of the Duchess of Devonshire. The name ‘Blue John’ is thought to originate from the French term bleu et jaune, meaning blue and yellow. The largest veins of Blue John had disappeared by the early 19th century and today only two working Blue John Stone mines remain, producing only a miniscule amount of the precious stone. The small amount that remains is buried in the veins of limestone which reside deep within Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. Only 0.25 tons of the stone is extracted annually, and is sparingly reserved for small objects and jewelry.
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Origin: | England |
| Type: | Figurines/Statuettes |
| Style: | Georgian |
| Depth: | 6.0 in. (15.24 cm) |
| Width: | 6.0 in. (15.24 cm) |
| Height: | 11.63 in. (29.53 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
