Porphyry Mortar - 18th Century - 23cm

Imperial porphyry mortar - 18th century

It is carved from red porphyry with crystalline inclusions, sourced from Mons Porphyrites in Egypt, the only quarry exploited in antiquity for this material. The shape is hemispherical, resting on a circular pedestal. The thick lip is continuous with the body. The whole is polished.

The interior is deeply hollowed and shows traces of use. The base retains carving marks.

The porphyry is impregnated with an impregnating agent.

Imperial porphyry, quarried during Roman antiquity, was reserved for the use of emperors and associated with imperial power. Quarrying ceased in the 5th century, leading to the disappearance of all primary production. In the modern era, the material is once again used from reused antique blocks, notably from architectural elements such as columns or cladding.

From the reign of Louis XIV onwards, interest in antique materials experienced a revival in Europe. In the 18th century, the cutting of imperial porphyry developed once again in Italy, in the context of the Grand Tour, where these objects were produced from antique fragments and distributed to a European clientele.

Size: 23cmx 19cm
Weight: 10kg