Ashford Black Marble

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 Typical inlaid thermometer with a wide variety of decorative stones from Derbyshire. The item is just under 8½" tall and is in good condition; I note only a couple of small chips and two repaired areas £265
	Deskset Round Black Marble base about 7" in diameter with an inlaid ribbon of Siberian malachite. The cut-glass ink pot is a later addition but would be similar to the original. £275
	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
	Thermometer Typical inlaid thermometer with a wide variety of decorative stones from Derbyshire. The item is just under 7" tall and the ivory backing to the thermometer itself is signed "BRIGHT & CO., BUXTON", a manufactory active around 1860. £245
	Elegant Obelisk Handsome, slender obelisk inlaid with several pieces of finely patterned malachite and standing some 10" tall. SOLD
	Pendant Cross Small cross a little under 2" long with a typical jasmine inlay. Two tiny sections of stem missing, otherwise perfection. SOLD
	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 SOLD
	Letter Scale Unusual item, and Ashford marble patchwork base with a brass sprung letter scale. Overall some 7" tall, the base 3¾" in diameter. Perfect condition. SOLD

	Thermometer Large thermometer standing some 8" tall with an exuberant floral inlay with clam-shell flowers and malachite leaves. A few tiny chips but an excellent inlay and a good ivory-backed thermometer. SOLD
	Desk Set Very fine, large desk set with a superb inlay of jasmines in excellent condition. Of its type this is not only the best we have been able to offer but I think the best I have ever seen. No chips, high polish - practically mint! SOLD
	Go-to-Bed Delightful vesta container, the name deriving from the fact that a vesta could be struck (on the underside of the base) and stuck into a small hole in the lid giving just enough light for a person to get to bed. Nice condition with many local stones inlaid into the two decorative rings. SOLD
	Postal Scales Set of brass scales with inlaid plaques forming the centre of each "pan". The scales are engraved "Melliship & Harris, 111 Westbourne Grove" and come with 2oz, 1oz, ½oz and ¼oz weights (the largest being a replacement). SOLD
	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. SOLD
	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". SOLD
	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. SOLD
	Vesta Box Small box around 2¾" x 1½" decorated with scrapwork . An unusual item, an engrved strip on the underside (for striking) suggests it may have been intended for vestas. An early repair and a few very tiny chips do not detract from a delightful little item SOLD
	Paperweight Small paperweight 3¾" x 2¾" with an inlaid scrapwork cross. Many of the stones in the cross are local to Derbyshire - oakstone, rosewood marble, Duke's Red marble etc - augmented by some malachite and, the centrepiece, a square of red Cornish serpentine. Some chipping to the edges but the inlay is good. SOLD
	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
	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
	Thermometer Stylish thermometer standing 6½" tall, white clam for the jasmines with malachite for the leaves. No blemishes of any significance. SOLD
	Cross Smaller cross standing 17.5cm tall with typical jasmine group. SOLD
	Paperweight / Pen Rest Rectangular paperweight with four slots for pens 14cm x 9cm. Inlaid floral motif from clam shell, Siena marble and malachite. SOLD
	Candlestick Stands 4½" tall, the base a little over 4" in diameter. Nice inlaid ring of mostly Derbyshire stones. Excellent condition. SOLD
	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
	Pendant Cross Superb small inlaid cross designed to be worn as a pendant. Delightful inlay and excellent condition. Size 7cm x 4.5cm. SOLD
	Small Dish Modest dish 11cm in diameter with a simple inlay of a columbine fashioned from clam shell with Verde d'Arno leaves. SOLD
	Pen Tray Pen tray 25cm long the rim decorated with jasmine flowers and malachite leaves. Two vintage pens included! SOLD