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.
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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Elegant Obelisk
Handsome, slender obelisk inlaid with several pieces of finely patterned
malachite and standing some 10" tall.
SOLD |
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Pendant Cross
Small cross a little under 2" long with a typical jasmine inlay. Two
tiny sections of stem missing, otherwise perfection.
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
SOLD |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
SOLD |
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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".
SOLD |
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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.
SOLD |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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Thermometer
Stylish thermometer standing 6½" tall, white clam for the jasmines with
malachite for the leaves. No blemishes of any significance.
SOLD |
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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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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 |
"Derbyshire Black Marble" by John Michael Tomlinson.95pp. Soft
back. Colour plates.