A stunning and rare pair of French early 19th century Louis XVI st. Porphyry and ormolu urns. The urns are raised by a square base with concave corners with richly chased foliate rosettes centering beautiful fitted interlocking patterns. Above a... — Read More

A stunning and rare pair of French early 19th century Louis XVI st. Porphyry and ormolu urns. The urns are raised by a square base with concave corners with richly chased foliate rosettes centering beautiful fitted interlocking patterns. Above a fine tied berried laurel band two impressive Greek key designed handles encase the striking Porphyry body. Each handle displays fluted patterns and rich foliate movements with a swaging berried laurel. The elegantly shaped neck displays a beaded ormolu band and an intricately chased foliate band while showcasing the beautiful Porphyry.

Porphyry was Imperial Rome’s most prestigious stone for columns, vases, and other objects. The word “porphyry” comes from the Latin word for purple, which was the color of nobility to the Romans. Porphyry is considered the Imperial Stone of the Roman Empire. In the year 18 AD, the Roman Legionaire Caius Cominius discovered a beautiful purple stone in the eastern desert of Egypt. It was a deep purple color with flecks of larger white crystals and was perfect for carving. This porphyry quickly became the most prestigious stone for the elite of Rome and Byzantium. For centuries the Romans quarried this treasured stone at Mons Porphyrites Porphyry Mountain. — Read Less