Porphyry Urns

A sensational and extremely high quality pair of Russian 19th century neo-classical st. Imperial Porphyry lidded urns. Each urn is raised by a fine circular base with an elegant mott...

A very fine pair of antique roman porphyry, Grand Tour period hand carved lidded vases. These are a fabulous and quite decorative pair of porphyry lidde...

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 magnificent pair of Egyptian Porphyry and ormolu brule parfumes after Gouthiere, French Louis XVI/ neoclassical design circa 1870, after Pierre Gou...

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...

Porphyry Urn in rich shades of reds. Look close to see specks of white mixed in. Urn is in very nice condition with no chips or cracks. Monumental Urn that would set the stage in ...

An extremely elegant pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Grand Tour period Imperial Porphyry tazzas. Each tazza with wonderful proportions is...

An early 19th century Swedish or Russian Porphyry campana urn vase carved in a Classic shape, likely carved by the Alvdalen factory in Sweden, the vase presently mounted on a faux gr...

A stunning and very high-quality pair of French 19th century neoclassical St. Porphyry and ormolu lidded urns. Each very uniquely shaped and most decorative urn is raised by fine bal...

Imposing cup in red, Egyptian porphyry featuring three cupids on a circular base. The patinated bronze cupids serve as the supporting stem for the wide-rimmed cup. Two of the cupids ...

A sensational and high quality pair of French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. Porphyry and fire gilded ormolu lidded urns. The pair are raised by a square ormolu plate below the mottl...

An outstanding and high quality Italian 19th century neo-classical st. Imperial Porphyry and ormolu urn. The exceptional solid Porphyry urn is raised by a square ormolu base with a r...