Medieval Mosaic Cosmati Floor Fragment Inlaid with Red and Green Porphyry

Period: 1000-1400

Origin: Italy

Medium: Marble, Porphyry

Literature: Ancient Roman Porphyry beloved by Emperors and Caesars for its Imperial purple colour was extensively recycled by the ‘Scalpellini’ of Rome who called it ‘Porfido Rosso Antico’. They sliced it thinly and used it for the famous Cosmati pavements of European churches, and as inlays for altars and furniture.