🪔 This huge red porphyry basin has a circumference of 13 meters - it was likely part of Nero' Domus Aurea Palace in Rome, and the red porphyry the basin was made from was brought from Egypt. It is now in the Round Hall of the Vatican Museums.
🪔 All red porphyry, also called "imperial", was mined at the Mons Pophryites in Egypt, and its transportation was complex and hugely expensive. The stone became a symbol of luxury and power. 📸 me
