An enormous fragment of Imperial Porphyry
An enormous fragment of Imperial Porphyry
5809
With a flat polished front and a raw back mounted on a modern plinth base.
Originally quarried in Gebel Dokhan, Egypt, 1 - 5th Century CE and transported, via the Nile and Mediterranean, to Rome. This piece with a 18th century re-polished front.
Dimensions including mount.
Provenance:
Private Swiss collection.
David Le Lay (1945 - 2017).
Private French collection.
Egyptian Porphyry was quarried at Gebel Dokhan, in what became known as Mons Porphyrites - a group of quarries in Egypt's Red Sea Hills. First discovered in the early first century AD, the quarries remained in operation until the fifth century and were Imperial property.
Just as the colour purple was exclusively for the use of the Emperor, the royal-coloured stone was reserved for Imperial use and was the supreme symbol of Imperial Power.
Dimensions:
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.Private French collection.Egyptian Porphyry was quarried at Gebel Dokhan, in what became known as Mons Porphyrites - a group of quarries in Egypt's Red Sea Hills. First discovered in the early first century AD, the quarries remained in operation until the fifth century and were Imperial property. Just as the colour purple was exclusively for the use of the Emperor, the royal-coloured stone was reserved for Imperial use and was the supreme symbol of Imperial Power.){kind=link}