Medieval Mosaic Floor Fragment

A Medieval Mosaic Floor Fragment Inlaid with Red and Green Porphyry from the Cosmati Pavement of a European Church
10th - 13th Century
Size: 7cm x 7cm – 2¾ ins x 2¾ ins
Not all porphyry from the ancient quarries at Gebel Dokhan in Egypt is purple. The Romans called the greenish variety 'Lapis Hieracitis' or simply 'Hieracitis' meaning 'hawk'. After the Gebel Dokhan quarries were abandoned Imperial porphyry was extensively recycled by the Scalpellini of Rome who called it 'Porfido Rosso Antico' and 'Porfido Lerde Egiziano'. They sliced it thinly and used it for the famous Cosmati pavements of the churches of Rome and other European cities, and as inlays in altars and furniture.

Medieval Mosaic Floor Fragment

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk