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This exceptionally rare case is made of Black Derbyshire marble. It is decorated with beautiful pietra dura inlay, both sides decorated sprigs of white jasmine and foliage, with one side also decorated with forget-me-nots. It dates from the mid 19th century and was almost certainly made in Ashford-in-the-Water, a picturesque village in the Derbyshire Peak district.

 

It is not uncommon to find leather cases with inlaid pietra dura panels inlaid on the front, but these are nearly always Italian and date from the late 19th century. This solid marble case is only the second known example of its kind and may well have been a special commission or produced as a display pierce. It was offered for sale by card case specialists, 'Simply Antiques'.

 

(One way to distinguish English from Italian pietra dura inlay is to examine a stem; English pietra dura uses one single piece of cut stone, whereas Italian work uses a number of segments.)

 

For more information on Derbyshire black marble, click here.