A gilt-bronze-mounted Blue John vase à navette, Louis XVI, late 18th century

with a pinecone finial, the body with a beaded and ribbon-twist band, the handles in the form of a pair of entwined serpents on a later concave-sided rectangular base: restorations to Blue John

The gilt-bronze is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste.The finial is slightly crooked and shows evidence of regluing, but can easily be restored. The vase has been restored generally and some minor areas of infill to minor chips which are hardly noticeable. An attractive model in overall good restored condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Blue John was extensively mined in the last half of the 18th century for the production of both decorative objects and jewellery. It was exclusively mined near the village of Castleton, in the Peak District of Derbyshire, and many of the great stately homes in England have objects in this material.

The end of the Seven Years' War between England and France saw the mass importation of French ormolu objects into England in the second half of the 18th century, and the celebrated English craftsman Matthew Boulton saw an opportunity to produce his own versions of these objects incorporating gilt-bronze and Blue John. It has long been unclear whether the French mounts on Blue John objects were fitted in France or in England although large quantities of Blue John were exported to France.

A pair of vases in the Wallace Collection must be one of the earliest examples of Blue John mounted in French ormolu which dates to circa 1765 (Peter Hughes, The Wallace Collection, Catalogue of Furniture, London, 1996, Vol. III, p. 1392, no. 288 F 345, 346), suggesting that the Parisian marchands-merciers were exploiting this commodity even before Matthew Boulton.