A George III fluorspar Blue John, specimen marble, alabaster and Ashford marble Tuscan column, Derbyshire, late 18th century

with a turned quartz vase finial on a banded column ending on a moulded and stepped square plinth

Probably Sir William Forbes, 6th Bt. (1739-1806)

A lovely object. Generally in very good stable condition. Some old marks notably to white marble mouldings as to be expected. Again typical minor chips to extremities. One repaired break to corner of square plinth top that the urn sits on and a tiny bit of filler to the corner of black Ashford marble at this site - these do not detract.
"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."

It is easy to understand why this wonderful Tuscan column caught William Forbes eye when his interests are considered and it is highly likely that it was bought by him. The acquisitions he made, often related to his experiences as a Grand Tourist and also through his travels closer to home. For his newly built town house in Edinburgh’s New Town Forbes collected an impressive library which included reference books on the antiquities, sculpture and architecture. He also acquired Greek vases, prints and scientific instruments reflecting his interests. His private sketchbooks feature not only detailed drawings of buildings and structures but measurements too. All this supports the assertion that it was he who acquired this column. Tellingly on a tour of Britain in the July of 1792 he visited Chatsworth in Derbyshire an area synonymous with not only the mining of Blue John but also the production of objects from that material. In the same month in that county he also visited Robert Adams great house, Kedleston Hall which features a group of items in Blue John, including a pair of columns, still a part of the collection today, and it is tempting to think these visits lead to the acquisition of the offered lot in that same year, NLS (Acc.4796/115)