THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN (Lots 519-520) PORPHYRY The Romans were the first miners of deposits of porphyry in Egypt where they extracted the famous purple stone which derives its name from the Greek word for purple. Porphyry was then considered as the most noble decorative material and the most expensive, due to its hardness and the remoteness of the deposits. The Romans imported porphyry in great quantities from ancient Egypt, using it both in architectural schemes and to carve portrait busts. Its rich purple colour corresponds to the Imperial symbol of power, and therefore had special significance. Subsequent production of porphyry objects was the product of recycling of discovered elements and pieces from antique constructions, such as vases, pavements and columns. Porphyry was avidly collected by powerful figures such as the Medicis, Louis XIV and the cardinals de Richelieu and Mazarin. Its desirability is demonstrated by Louis XIV who purchased for the astronomical sum of 1089 livres from the disgraced Nicolas Fouquet a round tabletop of 4 pieds 5 pouces (143.5cm) that he then had mounted in 1669 upon a giltwood support by Philippe Caffieri. During the latter half of the 19th century, the use of porphyry in objets de haut luxe was continued by the best makers of the period, among them Henry Dasson and Alfred Beurdeley.

A fine pair of Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted porphyry cassolettes

SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details

A fine pair of Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted porphyry cassolettes
Second half 19th Century
Each removable lid with pinecone finial, above a bulbous body suspending ribbon tied vine swags, supported on triple female term-headed scrolled supports surrounding a central fluted support, on a fluted circular plinth with leaftip-cast foot and shaped base, one cover with yellow French & Co. inventory number 55656
21¾ in. (55.3 cm.) high (2)

Provenance

With Galleria Sangiorgi, circa 1955
With French & Company

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