Beautiful pair of ornamental tripod urns carved of rare Blue John stone. Crafted in a classically-inspired shape, they are provided with gilt bronze mounts, finely chiseled with foliage. Each urn is highlighted with winged women holding garlands, ending in ram’s feet. The set rests on a circular base and three toupie feet. The collar and base are decorated with ormolu friezes of pearls. 19th century English work.
Circa :1810
Dim: W: 4,3 in - D: 4,3in - H: 11,8in.
Dim: L:11cm, P:11cm, H:30cm.
Condition Report
In overall very good condition, with minimal chips on the edge of the lids.
Literature
Blue John stone 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, 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. 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, which reside deep within Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern.
Bibliography : Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton.
