FAQ

Ashlar House is a luxury objects house presenting handcrafted accessories founded in natural volcanic obsidian and other rare materials. Each piece is conceived as a sculptural object first — one that serves its purpose without being defined by it. We work with a small number of private clients, collectors, and partners who share that understanding.

Ashlar House operates from the United Kingdom. Private consultations are available by appointment in London, and we ship throughout the UK and internationally by arrangement.

Our obsidian pieces are produced in exclusive partnership with Vanakat, a specialist atelier with singular mastery of volcanic stone. Ashlar House holds the exclusive rights to present Vanakat's obsidian work in the United Kingdom. Every piece is finished by hand.

Selected pieces within the collection carry production markings. Details are confirmed at the point of enquiry.

Obsidian is a natural glass formed when lava cools too rapidly for a crystalline structure to develop. The result is a material of exceptional visual depth — amorphous, with a surface reflectivity that shifts with light and angle. No two pieces of obsidian are identical. Its character cannot be manufactured or approximated.

The Araratian highlands of Armenia are among the most geologically diverse obsidian sources in the world, yielding varieties found nowhere else in combination. The region has produced obsidian worked by human hands for millennia — long before its appearance in luxury objects, it served as surgical blades, valued for holding an edge finer than steel. The stone carries both geological and historical weight that no other source quite replicates.

Our collections draw on five natural varieties: Jet Black, Brown Burl, Silver Sheen, Translucent, and Semi-Translucent. Each has its own visual character, its own demands in the hand, and its own appropriate applications across the range. Availability by variety is confirmed at the point of enquiry.

Read more about each variety on The Material page.

Obsidian is a hard, dense natural glass with excellent surface stability under normal conditions of use. It is not fragile in the way the word "glass" might suggest — it does not flex or deform, and its surface resists scratching well. As with any fine object, it rewards considered handling and benefits from the care guidance provided with each piece.

Our current range comprises six collections: Ashtrays, Cigar Humidors, Cigar Boards, Lighters, Cigar Cases, and Drinking Vessels. Each collection is presented on the site with individual product pages. Bespoke commissions extend beyond these categories.

Most of our pieces are produced to order but in some cases we might have items in stock available to purchase immediately. Lead times vary by piece and are confirmed at the point of enquiry.

Obsidian variant availability differs by product. The options available for each piece are noted on the individual product page, and our team is happy to discuss the visual character of each variety in more detail during a consultation or by correspondence.

Pricing is available on request. We do not publish a price list on the site — each enquiry is handled personally, and pricing is provided in the context of a direct conversation about the piece, any customisation, and delivery requirements.

All purchases are arranged privately, by direct enquiry. There is no online checkout. Write to us at info@ashlar-house.com or use the enquiry form, and we will take it from there.

As pieces are produced to order, returns are not offered as standard. In the event of a fault or damage in transit, we ask that you contact us within 48 hours of receipt and we will resolve the matter directly.

Yes, and we welcome them. Bespoke commissions are a central part of what Ashlar House does — custom dimensions, form variations, surface treatments, metal finishes, and personalised engraving are all available, as is work that falls entirely outside the existing collections. All bespoke enquiries are considered individually.

As much as is useful to you — the intended piece, its setting, any specific requirements, and any reference material you find helpful. We do not require a formal brief. A conversation is often the best starting point.

Timelines vary depending on the complexity and nature of the piece. An indicative lead time will be provided early in the commission conversation. We do not rush work that benefits from time.

Yes. Gift commissions are handled with full discretion, and we are experienced in managing presentation, timing, and delivery to suit the occasion.

Yes. Ashlar House operates primarily in the United Kingdom, and all domestic deliveries are arranged with appropriate care for the nature of the pieces.

International requests are welcome and considered individually. Shipping arrangements, timelines, and any relevant import considerations are discussed and confirmed before dispatch.

All Ashlar House pieces are packaged to a standard appropriate to what is inside. Presentation is considered part of the experience of receiving a piece.

Yes, subject to availability. Private consultations are available by appointment in London, at which selected pieces from the collection may be viewed in person. To arrange an appointment, please write to us.

No. You are welcome to write to us at any time — by email or through the enquiry form — without any prior commitment or appointment. We respond to all enquiries personally and aim to be in touch within two working days.

Obsidian benefits from simple care. Clean with a soft, dry or lightly dampened cloth — avoid abrasive materials and harsh chemical cleaners. For pieces with gold or metal elements, the same principle applies. Direct, sustained exposure to strong cleaning agents or mechanical abrasion should be avoided. Beyond that, obsidian is a robust material that asks very little of the people who keep it.