Ironstone carving of Queen Alexandra by JJ Kirton of Normanby (1878-1948)

Ironstone carving was a uniquely local craft which is thought to have come from the well-established custom of carving locally mined jet. In the mid 1800s, a rich seam if ironstone was found in the Tees Valley which led to the area becoming one of the most important metal producers in the world. The ironstone was much harder than jet and had to be very carefully scraped and rubbed away.

This carving was made by Mr J J Kirton in the early 1900s. His carved ironstone souvenirs were very popular and ranged from elaborate clock surrounds and busts of famous people, including King George V, Queen Mary, King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra, to simple bibles. They ranged in size from about 3 cm to about 20 cm in height.

Queen Alexandra was the wife of Edward VII, who reigned from 1901-1911 and would have been the most famous woman in Britain at the time.

Image courtesy of Redcar and Cleveland Council Cultural Service