The village of Ashford in the
Water is justly considered to be one of the most attractive villages in the Peak
District National Park. But its fame rests on more than its idyllic setting, for
its name will forever be associated with a remarkable rock, a jet black bituminous
limestone known as the Ashford Black Marble which is found in the
hills surrounding the village. This rock has been quarried and mined for over
300 years and was originally used for a variety of architectural purposes.
However, in the early years of the 19th century one of the Peak's
petrifactioneers, William Adam, having presumably seen examples of Florentine
pietra dure in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth
House, realized that the Black Marble could be employed as a suitable base
material for this work. And thus the craft and, I am tempted to say, industry of
Ashford Black Marble Inlay began.
The work produced was very much in tune with the predilections of Victorian
English society and was in such demand that the whole village was taken over by
its manufacture. The work produced was equal to the finest produced in Florence,
and examples from several craftsmen were shown at the great exhibition in 1851.
But the very popularity of Ashford Black Marble Inlay was, unfortunately,
also its nemesis. Cheap substitutes - painted designs on treated slate -
eventually took their toll. The industry was in terminal decline by the end of
the 19th Century, although individual craftsmen carried on the tradition up to about 1930, and "new" pieces could still be bought in the 1950's.
Unlike a good deal of Florentine pietra dure or Florentine
"mosaics", Ashford Black Marble Inlay is true inlay : the elegant
floral designs formed from a variety of semi-precious stones, shells and
ceramics are set into recesses gouged in the Black Marble. The resulting
"pictures in stone" will not only last but also retain their original
freshness eternally.
Ashford Black Marble to Purchase:
We endeavour to keep a stock of antique pieces although, of necessity, these
are not always easy to find. We currently have the following items in stock.
Prices quoted do not include postage and packing.
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Thermometer
Stylish thermometer standing 6½" tall, white clam for the jasmines with
malachite for the leaves. No blemishes of any significance.
£345 $690 |
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Spill Vase
Not a common object, I suspect because of the difficulty in hollowing out
this particular shape. This is a large example 7" tall and 3½" in diameter
with a restrained jasmine motif running right around the body of the vase
No chips anywhere and just a tiny bit of stem missing from the inlay.
SOLD |
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Specimen Marble Paperweight
Attractive paperweight some 5" x 3" with a variety of materials inlaid in a
rectangular pattern. Most of the well-known Derbyshire "marbles" are here -
Birdseye, Oakstone, Rosewood Marble, Duke's Red - as well as "foreigners
such as serpentine and malachite. A tiny chip towards the base at one corner
is the only blemish.
SOLD |
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Obelisk
Very handsome obelisk standing 15" tall with scrapwork inlay around the
thermometer and a superb dog rose inlay on the plinth. Virtually mint
condition with only a few very tiny chips to the base block; everything else
- inlays, ivory-backed thermometer etc. - in perfect condition
£565 $1,130 |
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Candlestick
Fine candlestick 6" tall with two rings of inlaid stone. All the Derbyshire
varieties here + malachite, lapis etc. etc. Excellent condition, one small
chip in a position which makes it hardly noticeable.
£225 $450 |
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Thermometer
Typical design standing 7" tall. A few minor blemishes but nothing serious.
Somewhat unusually carries a signature on the ivory plate backing the
thermometer: "J. DAKIN, MATLOCK BATH".£295 US$590 |
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Obelisk with Thermometer
Large obelisk some 13" tall supporting an ivory-backed mercury
thermometer. The thermometer is surrounded by a colourful border of inlaid
stones whilst the base has an extravagant floral motif consisting of a
jasmine (a very popular flower in this sort of work), three buds and some
malachite leaves.
£425 US$850 |
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Inkstand
Fine inkstand some 30cm x 20cm, the black marble overlaid with a patchwork
of mostly Derbyshire stones: Duke's Red Marble, Birdseye Marble, etc. etc.
Remarkable condition with no chips or blemishes.£425 US$850 |
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Cross
Smaller cross standing 17.5cm tall with typical jasmine group.
SOLD |
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Paperweight / Pen Rest
Rectangular paperweight with four slots for pens 14cm x 9cm. Inlaid floral
motif from clam shell, Siena marble and malachite.
SOLD |
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Candlestick
Stands 4½" tall, the base a little over 4" in diameter. Nice inlaid ring of
mostly Derbyshire stones. Excellent condition.
SOLD |
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Candlestick
Stands a little over 4½" tall, the base. 4¼" in diameter. Nice inlaid ring
of colourful stones, many of them from Derbyshire. Excellent condition.
SOLD |
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Large Candlestick
Fine candlestick 19cm tall in excellent condition with a variety of inlaid
stones - Duke's Red Marble, malachite, coralline marble etc. Note the
unusual band of inlay halfway up the stem.
SOLD |
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Pendant Cross
Superb small inlaid cross designed to be worn as a pendant. Delightful inlay
and excellent condition. Size 7cm x 4.5cm.
SOLD |
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Small Dish
Modest dish 11cm in diameter with a simple inlay of a columbine fashioned
from clam shell with Verde d'Arno leaves.
SOLD |
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Pen Tray
Pen tray 25cm long the rim decorated with jasmine flowers and malachite
leaves. Two vintage pens included!
SOLD |
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Large Cross
Cross standing some 21.5cm tall lavishly inlaid with jasmine flowers and
buds.
SOLD |
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Small Dish
Dish a little under 6" (14.5cm) in diameter the rim decorated with a
patchwork of decorative stones.
SOLD |
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Candle Holder
Delightful small candle holder with three floral groupings decorating
the base. The candlestick stands 2¼ ins (5.5cm), the base being 3½ ins (9cm)
in diameter. Very good condition with no significant blemishes.
SOLD |
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For a
full account of the history of Ashford Black Marble we recommend (and can
supply) the recently published book:-
"Derbyshire Black Marble" by John Michael Tomlinson.95pp. Soft
back. Colour plates.
£12 US$23 (including postage & packing)
ORDER ON-LINE!.
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