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The Card Case Forum, 2009
Ashford black marble is, in fact a black bituminous limestone found in the hills surrounding the village. And, although not a true marble, it polishes to a high quality finish.
The rock was originally used for a variety of architectural purposes, the first marble works being founded in 1748 by Henry Watson. In the early years of the 19th century one of the Peak's petrifactioneers, William Adam, having presumably seen examples of Florentine pietra dura in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth House, realised that the black 'marble' could be used as a suitable base material for this work. And thus the industry of Ashford black marble inlay began.
The pieces produced by the Ashford Black Marble Works were very much in keeping with the tastes of Victorian English society and were in such demand that the whole village was taken over by its manufacture. The work produced was equal to the finest
The rock was originally used for a variety of architectural purposes, the first marble works being founded in 1748 by Henry Watson. In the early years of the 19th century one of the Peak's petrifactioneers, William Adam, having presumably seen examples of Florentine pietra dura in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth House, realised that the black 'marble' could be used as a suitable base material for this work. And thus the industry of Ashford black marble inlay began.
The pieces produced by the Ashford Black Marble Works were very much in keeping with the tastes of Victorian English society and were in such demand that the whole village was taken over by its manufacture. The work produced was equal to the finest
produced in Florence, and examples from several craftsmen were shown at the great exhibition in 1851. This black stone was inlaid with other minerals such as fluorspar, lapis lazuli, oakstone, rose quartz and malachite, to name but a few, to resemble floral and other decorative patterns. Shown here is a stunning inlaid Ashford black marble table top.
But the very popularity of Ashford Black Marble Inlay was also its nemesis. Cheap substitutes - painted designs on treated slate - eventually took their toll. By the end of the 19th century, the industry was in terminal decline, although individual craftsmen carried on the tradition up to about 1930.
The Buxton Museum and Art Gallery has over 300 pieces of black marble in its collection.
But the very popularity of Ashford Black Marble Inlay was also its nemesis. Cheap substitutes -
The Buxton Museum and Art Gallery has over 300 pieces of black marble in its collection.