Large 18th Century Imperial Red Porphyry Vase

Large 18th century Imperial red porphyry vase with cover. Italian, circa 1770-80.

Why we like it

Of impressive scale and beautifully drawn neoclassical form, this vase is carved from imperial red porphyry — the celebrated porfido rosso antico quarried in antiquity from a single site in Egypt’s Eastern Desert and reserved, by decree, for the use of Roman emperors. The stone here is of exceptional quality — a deep, saturated purple-red evenly strewn with fine white feldspar inclusions, exactly the colour prized above all others.

Unlike many other examples, this vase has a confident, classically correct silhouette in the manner of the great Roman hardstone workshops that supplied the Grand Tour market. Given that no new porphyry has been quarried since antiquity, works of this material were necessarily carved from salvaged ancient fragments, and a vase of this size — standing 41 cm high and 18 cm across — represents a considerable and increasingly rare survival.

The late Philip Hewat-Jaboor assembled one of the extraordinary collections of porphyry — vases, tazze, and objects of every scale — now dispersed. His eye shaped our own understanding of the material, and we owe a great deal to it.

Dimensions

Height: 41 cm / 16.1”

Width: 18 cm / 7”

Condition 

Ready for placement and immediate enjoyment. Smooth, “silky” surface (not glossy or highly polished), minor historic chips to the lid and body. Later square base.