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Sell Now Blue John decorative objects
Alison Snowdon, Fellows
Blue John, also referred to as Derbyshire Spar, is a form of fluorite renowned for its distinctive hues of purple-blue or yellow. Found only within the confines of the Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire, this mineral has captivated collectors for centuries. Looking back to the 1760s, Matthew Boulton and his workshop in Birmingham manufactured the earliest Blue John decorative pieces. Today, items from Boulton’s workshop made in the 18th century fetch substantial sums, often reaching tens of thousands of pounds at auction. The allure of Blue John extends beyond its aesthetic appeal; its rarity and limited availability make it a desirable collector’s item. Throughout history, the mine has had a limited output, regulated by leases as strict as 20 tons per annum in the 18th century. By the late 19th century, production dwindled to a mere fraction of its former output. However, in 2013 a discovery of a ‘lost’ deposit was made within Treak Cliff Cavern, which was followed by the unveiling of a new vein in 2015. Large pieces like urns, vases, desk weights and bowls can command high hundreds of pounds and into the thousands. At a recent Fellows Country House Auction, we sold some wonderful antique pieces, including a Blue John campana (bell-shaped) urn for £2,470 and a Blue John Corinthian column table lamp for £690.
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