Napoleon III Portor and white marble mantel - marble

Description

Black Portor marble mantel with detached Corinthian columns with white Carrara marble ornaments creating a remarkable contrast to the speckled gold of the Portor. The pure white base of the capitals support fluted columns that rise up to capitals adorned with acanthus leaves and scrolls. The central clasp motif of the entablature bears a shield embossed with the intermingled initials H and R, while the frieze of flutes echoes the columns. The scrolled sides bring an imposing stature to the composition.

Additional information

With neither hearth floor nor insert. Portor is a relatively rare marble quarried in Italy and in Corsica. It is found in France, but very sparingly. A dark black color scattered with yellow grooves. Sometimes these grooves are grey, the marble is then know as Portagent. The most beautiful Portor is dark black with deep yellow veins, like golden flames. Its name most likely comes from the town of Porto Venere on the Genoese coast where Louis XIV exploited quarries for the decoration of Versailles. Much used in the 17th, 18th and until the 20th century with the Art Deco style, for beautiful furniture, objets d’art and fireplace mantels.