A Fine and Large Quartz Crystal and Specimen Mineral Tower
A Fine and Large Quartz Crystal and Specimen Mineral Tower
Old paper label ‘London’ housed under the original glass dome
Minerals, Wood, Glass
England
19th Century
SIZE: 47cm high, 29cm wide, 18cm deep - 18½ ins high, 11½ wide, 7 ins deep
Old paper label ‘London’ housed under the original glass dome
Minerals, Wood, Glass
England
19th Century
SIZE: 47cm high, 29cm wide, 18cm deep - 18½ ins high, 11½ wide, 7 ins deep
A Fine and Large Quartz Crystal and Specimen Mineral Tower
Old paper label ‘London’ housed under the original glass dome
Minerals, Wood, Glass
England
19th Century
SIZE: 47cm high, 29cm wide, 18cm deep - 18½ ins high, 11½ wide, 7 ins deep
Old paper label ‘London’ housed under the original glass dome
Minerals, Wood, Glass
England
19th Century
SIZE: 47cm high, 29cm wide, 18cm deep - 18½ ins high, 11½ wide, 7 ins deep
During the Victorian period, these towers together with shadow boxes and diorama’s were entered into competitions where the miners would contest against each other for prize exhibits. Often made by Victorian lead miners from the mineral crystals they occasionally found in cavities as they laboriously worked the seams of lead ore.
Rock crystal is regarded as a semi-precious stone, an elite mineral and has always been in demand from craftsmen to cut and carve into faceted stones and beads and objects ranging from handles to chandeliers. The art of carving and engraving rock crystal has been well developed as the material lends itself especially well to this treatment. For centuries the stone and gem cutters of India, China and Europe have been carving superb objects from rock crystal. In the 9th and 10th centuries the Island of Madagascar supplied the mineral, however for the last 100 years Brazil has been the best source with individual crystals weighing up to 25 tons being found there.
Rock crystal is regarded as a semi-precious stone, an elite mineral and has always been in demand from craftsmen to cut and carve into faceted stones and beads and objects ranging from handles to chandeliers. The art of carving and engraving rock crystal has been well developed as the material lends itself especially well to this treatment. For centuries the stone and gem cutters of India, China and Europe have been carving superb objects from rock crystal. In the 9th and 10th centuries the Island of Madagascar supplied the mineral, however for the last 100 years Brazil has been the best source with individual crystals weighing up to 25 tons being found there.
A Fine and Large Quartz Crystal and Specimen Mineral Tower
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