A PAIR OF BLUE JOHN CHIMNEY ORNAMENTS

June 9 2009, 5:12pm

English. Circa 1790. First discovered over two thousand years ago by the Romans, Blue John is an unusual mineral from the area around Mam Tor mountain in a hillside near Castleton in Derbyshire, England. This is the only known location where Blue John can be found, though other types of flourspars are mined throughout the world. The name "Blue John" is believed to derive from the French bleu jaune, meaning "blue-yellow," and it is characterized by bands of blue/purple and yellow/white colored veins. Because of its rarity, the material is no longer used on a grand scale. One of the most proficient users of the stone was Matthew Boulton. He worked extensively in Derbyshire marbles and fluorspars to produce a variety of decorative objects like urns, cassolettes, and perfume burners. It was used to furnish the finest British houses, notably Kedleston Hall, where it was first employed by Robert Adam, and Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.