19th century English urn

19th century English urn.
Bleu John and gilded bronze.
Measurements: 22 cm.

Neoclassical urn made in Bleu John, a rare and semi-precious mineral with purplish blue or yellowish veins found only in the region of Derbyshire, England. This stone was used with great success in the manufacture of luxury items in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is associated with Mathew Bolton, a highly respected businessman of his time and exporter of English products throughout Europe. He exported, among others, Blue John and Ormolu, as well as silver and silver-plated items. Blue John stone was considered particularly suitable for urns and candlesticks, which were made in the neoclassical style after the designs of Robert Adams, very fashionable at the time.