A Italian 19th century Terra Cotta urn/planter

A handsome and most decorative Italian 19th century Terra Cotta urn/planter. The large scale Roman planter is raised by a fine square base below the lightly curved socle shaped pedes...

A magnificent and monumentally scaled Italian early 19th century solid Porphyry and ormolu urn, circa 1810. The most impressive urn is raised by a circular base with a fine stepped and mottled border. At the center is an impressive and most decorative reeded design below the smooth elegantly curved body with richly sculpted scrolled handles at each side. Above the curved neck is the removable lid also decorated with a beautiful reeded design, mottled band, and centered by a striking ormolu acorn finial. All original gilt. 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 Legionnaire 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...

A Victorian style reclaimed terracotta urn. Dating from the late 19th century, this terracotta garden urn would make a beautiful additional to an English country garden. It display...

A large antique terracotta garden urn with a pedestal. Thanks to its large scale and unique design, this urn would make a striking new centrepiece for the garden or courtyard of a be...