The mining of fluorspar first began in 1760 in Derbyshire, near Castleton in England. Extraction and stone carving took place in England, before the objects were exported to France to be mounted in bronze.
The material is a semi-precious mineral and is found only at Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire. In 1768, industrialist Matthew Boulton wrote a letter in an attempt to purchase the mines to create ormolus.
By the 19th century, Blue John was being used for a variety of objects, including dining sets and candelabras. Today, production continues in Castleton, where jewelry is mainly manufactured.
The mines of Derbyshire are an integral part of the landscape, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Terror of Blue John Gap, 1910, is centred around the mysteries of the Blue John mining caves.
All items featured will be included in Muizon-Rieunier's sale on July 4, 2016. Check out the full catalog here.