Harvard Art Museums > 1977.216.24: Porfido Rosso (porphyry) Material Specimens Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Porfido Rosso (porphyry) , 1977.216.24,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 26, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/288123. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1977.216.24 Title Porfido Rosso (porphyry) Other Titles Former Title: Porfido Rosso (Unpolished Fragments) Classification Material Specimens Work Type material specimen Culture Roman Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/288123 Physical Descriptions Medium Stone Technique Cut Dimensions 2 x 1.1 x 5.8 cm (13/16 x 7/16 x 2 5/16 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History George J. Pfeiffer and Rachel Hartwell Pfeiffer, Cambridge, MA (by 1905), gift; to the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (1905-1977), transfer; to the Fogg Museum, 1977. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Gift of Pfeiffer-Hartwell Collection Accession Year 1977 Object Number 1977.216.24 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Small fragment of porfido rosso, also known as porphyry. The color is deep reddish-purple, with white and black inclusions. The thickness of the sample is an even 1 cm throughout and there are traces of mortar on the back, suggesting this could be a tile for a floor or wall. The top surface is polished and smooth. All four edges are uneven. Commentary LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION Porfido Rosso is also known as porphyry which is a very hard, reddish-purple stone dotted with white specks. It originates in Egypt, which came under Roman control in 30 BCE after the defeat of Cleopatra by Octavian (Augustus). Porphyry came to signify imperial command, as it was the choice stone of later emperors. Though its hardness made it difficult to work with, porphyry was often used in tombs, columns, and statues. The most well-known example of porphyry is the statue of the four tetrarchs commissioned by Diocletian. [Jessica Pesce 8/5/2010] Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
