Rare Blue John Antiques return to Derbyshire
Blue John stone urns, a William & Mary marquetry box and a Dutch marquetry bombe chest all made a tidy sum at Tring Market Auctions
A pair of Blue John stone urns on plinths realised an excellent price of £11,200 at Tring Market Auctions’ Fine Art Sale held on Friday 23rd July. Blue John stone is a rare semiprecious mineral that is found near Castleton, Derbyshire – the only location in the world! Blue John stone antiques are highly sought after by collectors as proved by the pre-sale interest which came from prospective buyers throughout Europe. The sale day was well attended with international bids coming from European locations. It was heart-warming and satisfying to learn, however, that the winning bid of the Blue John urns came from a Derbyshire based buyer. The vases were going home. Stephen Hearn, Managing Director, Tring Market Auctions, said, ‘The pre-sale interest and spirited bidding is a true reflection of the response quality items receive at Tring Market Auctions.’ Other items of interest in the sale sold well with a William & Mary marquetry lace box selling at £1,250 and a small early 18th century Dutch marquetry bombe chest which reached £900.