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Lot Essay
Blue-John is a natural coloured veined fluorspar only found at Treak Cliff, near Castleton in Derbyshire. The radiating crystalline structure contains bands of of blue and purple intersected with other bands of varying colours. It is believed to have been first mined by the Romans, with two vases having been excavated at Pompeii. However, its use for ornamental purposes occurred in the second half of the eighteenth century when it was fashioned into decorative objects and used for architectural purposes in decorative schemes.
Its use is most celebrated in the work of the Birmingham silversmith and ormolu-manufacturer Matthew Boulton in such objects as candelabras, urns, candlesticks and perfume burners.
Boulton was however not alone in his use of the Derbyshire mineral and there are records listing several further Derbyshire makers in both the late 18th century and into the 19th century, including James Shaw and Vallance both of Matlock who produced vases of monumental scale.
Its use is most celebrated in the work of the Birmingham silversmith and ormolu-manufacturer Matthew Boulton in such objects as candelabras, urns, candlesticks and perfume burners.
Boulton was however not alone in his use of the Derbyshire mineral and there are records listing several further Derbyshire makers in both the late 18th century and into the 19th century, including James Shaw and Vallance both of Matlock who produced vases of monumental scale.