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Boasting rarity and importance, this Georgian urn is crafted from beautifully hued Blue John
The remarkable piece is attributed to renowned architect and designer Sir William Chambers
The exceptional piece is adorned with masterfully crafted silver mountings
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Georgian Blue John and Silver Urn

  • This Blue John urn is attributed to famed Swedish architect Sir William Chambers
  • The important piece is carved entirely from rare Blue John Derbyshire spar
  • Blue John is celebrated for its unique bands of blues, purples, and violets
  • The form is mounted with elaborate silver ornament, including scrolling foliage and grotesque masks
  • Get complete item description here
Item No. 30-3850

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Description
This important George III Blue John urn is attributed to famed Swedish architect Sir William Chambers. The solid piece is carved entirely from rare Blue John Derbyshire spar, taken from the now-extinct Blue John Cavern in Derbyshire, England. Set atop its Ashford marble plinth, the form is mounted with elaborate silver ornament, including scrolling foliage and grotesque masks.

Blue John spar is a semi-precious mineral recognized by its beautiful radiating crystalline structure, which was. . .
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This important George III Blue John urn is attributed to famed Swedish architect Sir William Chambers. The solid piece is carved entirely from rare Blue John Derbyshire spar, taken from the now-extinct Blue John Cavern in Derbyshire, England. Set atop its Ashford marble plinth, the form is mounted with elaborate silver ornament, including scrolling foliage and grotesque masks.

Blue John spar is a semi-precious mineral recognized by its beautiful radiating crystalline structure, which was only mined at a site near the village of Castleton in Derbyshire. 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. Due to its popularity, the largest veins of Blue John had disappeared by the early 19th century, and only a small amount of the stone remains. This rare Blue John urn, therefore, represents some of the last ornamental wares created of such grand size and proportion.

The architect and designer Sir William Chambers was born in Sweden and traveled widely throughout his life. Not only did he visit China, but also studied architecture both in Paris and in Italy. Many of his drawings from this period are contained in his important 'Franco-Italian' album, currently held in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Chambers moved to London in 1755 and published his influential Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759. Although a highly trained court architect, Chambers boasted connoisseurship of furniture design including that of silver. Chambers was highly influenced by Continental neoclassicism, and a second visit to Paris in 1774 confirmed the French influence on his own unique blend of Neoclassicism and Palladian conventions. Today, pieces by Chambers are highly sought after and can be found in important collections worldwide, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

12 1/2" high x 5 1/2" diameter
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Boasting rarity and importance, this Georgian urn is crafted from beautifully hued Blue John
Maker: Chambers, William
Period: 18th Century
Origin: England
Type: Vases/Vessels
Style: Georgian
Diameter: 5.5 in. 
Depth: 5.5 in. (13.97 cm)
Width: 5.5 in. (13.97 cm)
Height: 12.5 in. (31.75 cm)
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

Our philosophy has always been to offer clients only the very finest antiques, works of art and jewelry, and to back every transaction with the highest level of customer service. Earning your trust and delivering only the very best pieces is our top priority.

-Bill Rau, Third-Generation Owner

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M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

Our experienced fine art consultants offer personalized and confidential fine art consultation services to all clients. Whether you are looking to begin collecting art, grow an existing collection, or redefine your collecting strategy, M.S. Rau can support you on this journey.

Jewelry

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses. . .

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

Antiques

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.