Object Description
An Early Victorian Ashford Marble Table
The rectangular black marble and pietra
dura top is set above a walnut base
naturalistically carved with C-scrolls, lilies
and foliage on a central lily support with
outswept dolphin feet. At the back are two
cabriole legs headed by shells and equally
ornate carving. The inlaid decoration
comprises a central sunburst within a
patchwork border of specimen marbles and
fossils including: Madrepore, Petworth,
Portoro, Brocatelle, Sicilian Jasper and
‘Duke’s Red’. The top of the base is stamped
‘Artist R. Tudsbury Edwinstow. nOTsh.’
Circa 1840.
Height: 33in; 84cm
Width: 60in; 152.5cm
Depth: 361⁄2in; 92.5cm
Provenance:
Oberton Hall: “The Grecian-black marble
top, with its ribbon-banded tablet and
polychromed pietre dure compartment is a
masterpiece of the Derbyshire Black Marble
Works at Ashford and Old Royal Museum,
Matlock. It was probably designed by
William Adam (d.1873) who succeeded to
the Works in 1831. A trade sheet illustration
of the Museum featured a related table,
where the Museum was noted as being
‘under the Especial Patronage of his
Grace [Charles Cavendish, 6th] Duke
of Devonshire/Minerals and Shells/Inlaid
Tables/Mawe’s Original Royal Museum,
Matlock-Bath. The finest Spar, and elegantly
engraved Black Marble Ornaments,
Chimneypieces etc, London Jewellery’.”
Please see page 60 for further information
on Ashford Marble.