A large, covered urn carved of rare Blue John, a mineral found only in Derbyshire, England. Since the Roman era, Blue John was used to create fine decorative wares. Circa 1800-1820.

Discovered by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, Blue John stone is found only among the caverns of Treak Cliff Hill near Castleton in Derbyshire, England. Celebrated for its unique bands of blues, purples, and violets, Blue John was in great demand during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The colorful and decorative stone was even worked into columns in some of the finest houses in Great Britain, most notably Chatsworth, home of the Duchess of Devonshire. The name ‘Blue John’ is thought to originate from the French term bleu et jaune, meanin