A Regency carved and turned 'Ashford marble' amphora vase, circa 1820

Ashford 'marble' is in fact a type of limestone which, when polished, turns a deep glossy black. It is produced from only two quarries near Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire.

The material proved popular as a building material and as early as 1580, Bess of Hardwick commissioned a chimney piece for Chatsworth. The connection with the family Cavendish family and the Dukes of Devonshire was always present and in the 18th century it was a popular material for ornaments being developed by Henry Watson of Bakewell. It was not until the 19th century that it really became fashionable as a material for both ornaments and furniture, promoted by William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire who studied Minerology with Watson’s nephew White Watson.

The material was perfectly suited to emulate the Etruscan style painted terracotta vases which were a huge source of influence on Regency neoclassical design and inspired figures like Thomas Hope, whose famous interiors at Duchess Street housed a vast collection of antique vessels.