Description
“ELSTREE” HERTFORDSHIRE PUDDINGSTONE
NOW SOLD (£350)
Hertfordshire Puddingstone is one of the worlds rarest rocks. It is mainly found in the county of Hertfordshire, UK with a few deposits in west Essex & east Buckinghamshire.
It is essentially a conglomerate ‘silcrete’ stone made of flint pebbles in a silica matrix. It is incredibly hard, resistant to frost and other weathering, making it almost indestructible.
This piece, named after a Hertfordshire village (just as a reference name, it was not discovered there) is a beautiful example of this rare rock.
Hertfordshire Puddingstone has long been prized for its rarity, but it also has a place in local folklore. It’s importance in Pagan rituals often led to its use in or near churches, and it has been ascribed supernatural powers of protection against witchcraft and evil spirits. Small pieces were carried in the pocket, whilst larger pieces were placed near the front door. It was often referred to as “Hagstone”, “Witchstone” or “Angelstone”
It was also famed for its trick of appearing from nowhere, or appearing to grow larger, when exposed by ploughing or erosion – hence the nicknames “grow stone”, “breeding stone” and “mother stone” also attributed to it.
Finally – large examples of puddingstone have been used in previous times as standing stones, village or parish markers, or as grave markers. The Romans used it as a millstone for grinding grain, whilst the Victorians used to polish it for decorative art and jewellery.
Sizes –
This piece measures approximately 21.25”/540mm long x 8”/205mm high x 2.75”/70mm thick.
It has been sliced from a larger rock and both faces have been polished by our stonemasons. We have also flattened the base so it will stand upright without a stand. The top and sides of the piece shows the natural form of the rock.
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