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George III Blue John Panther
- This majestic panther is one of a rare handful of Blue John sculptures in existence
- Considered extinct, Blue John is exceedingly rare as its mines were depleted in the 19th century
- Resembling panther sculptures of ancient Rome, this statue is exemplary of neoclassical design
- Get complete item description here
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The intrinsic and richly hued mineral inclusions of the Blue John replicate the textures and colors of the animal’s fur. The rare stone is a variety of natural fluorite found exclusively in Derbyshire, England. It was first discovered in the early 18th century, but its mining did not begin until circa 1760. Blue John was a wildly popular material in the decorative arts during the Georgian and Regency periods, and it was so fashionable that its only known quarries were depleted by 1825 and remain extinct today.
The mineral’s brittle consistency made carving or chiseling Blue John virtually impossible; the most common pieces found in this medium are simple columns or urns — round subjects that could be shaped easily. This regal panther would have taken many painstaking months to complete using only a delicate hand-grinding process, and it represents some of the last wares of such grand size and proportion created with the mineral.
Late 18th century
19 1/2" high x 7 1/4" wide x 7 1/4" deep
| Period: | 18th Century |
| Origin: | England |
| Type: | Figurines/Statuettes |
| Style: | Neoclassical |
| Depth: | 7.25 in. (18.42 cm) |
| Width: | 7.25 in. (18.42 cm) |
| Height: | 19.5 in. (49.53 cm) |
Beneath the Surface: How Stone Sculpture is Made
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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.
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