1977.216.26: Porfido Nero "Porissima Specie", Corsi. Bought at Thermae of Caracalla

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1977.216.26

Title

Porfido Nero "Porissima Specie", Corsi. Bought at Thermae of Caracalla

Classification

Material Specimens

Work Type

material specimen

Culture

Roman

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/287915

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Stone

Technique

Cut

Dimensions

7.8 x 1.3 x 12.9 cm (3 1/16 x 1/2 x 5 1/16 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

1977.216.26

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Flat stone sample of porfido nero. Three of the four sides appear to be cut; two are parallel to each other and one runs diagonally between them. The fourth side is uneven. This may have been a wall or floor tile, since the thickness is an even 1 cm throughout. The majority of the stone is black with vivid green inclusions. Both sides of the stone are highly polished and flat.

Commentary

LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION

This is a fragment of Roman marble, most likely used as a floor or wall tile.

Verification Level