Adam's AT HOME AUCTION July 5th 2020

73 138 A BLUE JOHN AND MARBLE URN, early 19th century, of classical design with dark veining, the ovoid body with fluted shoulder and waisted circular foot, supported on a square white marble pedestal, each side with porphyry panels set with portrait medallions, 29cm high € 1,200 - 1,800 Blue John is a semi-precious mineral, a form of fluorite that is composed of purple and yellow bands of colour. In Britain it is only found in Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire. During the 19th century it was greatly admired for its beautiful radiating crystalline struc- ture and was mined for its ornamental value. The earliest known application of it is in the decorative arts was in the panels on fireplaces, dating to the mid-eighteenth century. Production in- creased into the 19th century, with the creation of numerous domestic objet d’arts, such as bowls, chalices, knife handles, candelabra and urns. The colourful stone was also used in the columns of important country houses in Britain, most notably Chatsworth, home to the Duchess of Devonshire. 139 A VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD DOUBLE SIDED WATERFALL BOOKCASE, 19th century, with arched ends carved with scrolling leaves and pendant flowers, and inlaid with brass ar- abesques medallions and enamelled with various colours, on turned studded supports with brass castors. 122cm high, 60cm deep, 106cm wide € 1,500 - 2,500