A VICTORIAN ASHFORD MARBLE MODEL OF CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE, LATE 19TH CENTURY

The misnomer 'Ashford Marble' in fact refers to the hard limestone quarried in two quarries near Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire, which is polished to jet black lustre in the eponymous workshops. It proved popular as a building material and as early as 1580 - Bess of Hardwick commissioned a chimneypiece for Chatsworth - but it was not until the 19th century that it really became fashionable as a material for both ornaments and furniture. It was promoted by William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire who encouraged this new development after admiring Florentine work in Italy.