Italy, 18th century

Egyptian red porphyry

Dimensions :
H. 25, 5 cm – D. 45,5 cm
H.  10 ^3/64 cm – D. 17 ^29/32 in

This sumptuous red porphyry cup, known as a tazza, eloquently embodies the Neoclassical taste for forms inherited from ancient Rome. It rests on a truncated conical foot that flares into a square base, providing both visual balance and monumental stability. At the junction between the foot and the bowl, a discreet gilt bronze ring encircles the base of the cup, adding a refined touch of precious contrast between the warm metallic sheen and the imperial stone.

The bowl, broad and shallow, features a slightly domed center forming an omphalos—a central elevation typical of ancient cups and Greco-Roman metalwork. The thick, subtly upturned rim contributes to the formal harmony of the piece, balancing strength with elegance.
Red porphyry, a material of exceptional quality, acquired immense symbolic value during the Roman Empire. Quarried exclusively from the eastern desert of Egypt, near Mons Porphyrites, it was reserved for imperial use. It adorned sarcophagi, columns, and monumental basins—tangible expressions of power and permanence.