Porphyry support for a water basin

Unknown

2nd century CE · Porphyry · Greek and Roman Art

In antiquity, porphyry was highly regarded as a royal stone, because its color was associated with the regal and, in Roman times, imperial use of purple to symbolize rank and authority. In addition, this very hard stone is found only in the eastern deserts of Egypt, making its extraction and transport extremely difficult and costly. Its use in Roman sculpture and architecture was therefore limited. This massive piece is one of a pair of supports that originally carried a deep oblong water basin, probably located in a major imperial bath complex. It exemplifies the opulence of Roman imperial sculpture at its height and is the most sumptuous ancient porphyry carving in an American collection.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd century CE

Medium

Porphyry

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1992