A carved porphyry campana form urn and cover late 17th/early 18th century, the cover and socle associated and probably from the same period

of classical shape, with a knopped and gadrooned lid, the body with scrolled volutes and handles and gardooning, raised on a turned socle on a square plinth base, restorations

This extraordinary lidded urn is of an unusually large size and is very impressive. Please be aware the body of urn might be earlier in date than as stated in the catalogued. The lid – the associated ball finial appears to have been broken and glued on and is almost certainly simulated to look like porphyry, the carved detail with old marks and chips particularly to moulded edges, the roughly hewn underside with further chips. The body - with small areas of filler to the rim, the lip around the central void with chips from the lid. The base - the socle with areas of filler notably around the edges to the plinth on which it sits
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature

P. Malgouyres, Porphyre, Paris, 2003, cat.28, p.114
M. de Nuccio & L. Lazzarini, ed., I marmi coloratti della Roma imperiale, Rome, 2003, cat 350, p.581
D. Del Bufalo, Porphyry, Turin, 2012, v140, p.158

The design for this magnificent urn probably derives from 17th century Italian sources, such as Stefano della Bella's highly influential etchings Raccolta di Vasi Diversi from1646. Made from Egyptian porphyry - a semi-precious stone which has been prized since antiquity for its lustrous colour (the word porphyry in fact derives from the Greek for purple) and incredible durability - the pronounced gadrooning, pleasing contours and rich colour of the urn all serve to make it an incredibly tactile object.

The porphyry itself was probably cut down from an ancient Roman column in the 17^th or 18^th century, and in its current form represents a remarkable feat of craftsmanship, as carving on this monumental scale would have been technically very challenging. The ancient Romans imported porphyry in enormous quantities from Egypt, using it both in architecture and sculpture. The rich purple hue of porphyry lent itself to Imperial symbolism, which no doubt played a part in its desirability in ancient Rome and later in the Renaissance period, when it's potent symbolism resonated with powerful figures such as the Medicis, Louis XIV, as well as the cardinals de Richelieu and Mazarin.

A related 17th century porphyry urn of almost identical proportions and with a similarly gadrooned base, though with snake handles and a different cover, from the château de Maisons-Laffitte, was exhibited in the Louvre's in 2003 (see P. Malgouyres, op. cit., p.114). Another related urn of almost identical form, but on a slightly smaller scale, was sold Christie’s, Axel Vervoordt, Antwerp, 10-12 May 2004, lot 95 (€209,850).