These impressive tapering columns in rare Greek porphyry (lapis Lacedaeminius) are surmounted by gilt figures of Antinous, based on the statue of the young god Osiris found at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli. The Antique marble is currently in the Vatican collection (inventory no.22795).

Antinous was the young favourite of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The site of his death in A.D. 130 was marked by the founding of the city of Antinoöpolis.