Two bases in rare Breccia Africano and Granito Nero

Cylinder in Breccia Africano
H 12.5 × D 7 cm

Cylinder in Granito Nero
H 6 × D 9 cm

Breccia Africano, also known as Africano marble, is an exceptional and historically significant stone that was extensively used in ancient Rome. Characterized by its striking color contrasts, Africano marble consists of mottled pink, red, and green fragments set within a dark grey or black matrix. This distinctive aesthetic made it one of the most highly prized marbles of antiquity.
The quarries that supplied Africano marble were lost for centuries, leading to speculation about their origin. Faustino Corsi, in his renowned catalog of marbles, incorrectly assumed that the marble originated from the Greek island of Chios. However, the true source of Africano marble was rediscovered in 1966 by Michael Ballance. He located remnants of the stone near Kara Göl, a flooded quarry at Sigacik, the site of the ancient city of Teos in modern-day Turkey. A second quarry was identified at Beylerköy, about 15 kilometers away.
Roman stone-cutters named the marble "Africano" due to its intense color contrasts. It was among the first colored marbles introduced in Rome and saw its peak usage during the reigns of the emperors from Augustus to the Antonines. Even during the reign of Diocletian (late 3rd to early 4th century AD), Africano marble was still considered one of the most expensive marbles available. Its high value ensured that it was reserved primarily for use by emperors and other elites, and curiously, it is rarely found in Asia Minor, despite being quarried there.The Edict on Maximum Prices, issued by Emperor Diocletian in AD 301, listed Africano marble at 150 denarii per foot (approximately 29.57 cm). This made it more expensive than cipollino marble (100 denarii per foot) but less costly than marbles from Phrygia and Numidia (200 denarii per foot). The pricing reflects its esteemed status, though it remained slightly more accessible than the most luxurious marbles of the time (porphyry and serpentine).
Africano marble was extracted in large quantities and transported to Italy and North Africa, where it was used extensively during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. It was particularly favored in Augustan architecture (late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD) and was frequently employed in Rome’s grand structures. Notably, two monumental thresholds made from Africano marble—one in the Pantheon and another in the Capitolium at Ostia—demonstrate its continued use during the Hadrianic period (early 2nd century AD), even after the quarries had been largely depleted.
Africano marble stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the ancient Romans. Its specific dark coloration and historical significance continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts, securing its place among the most distinguished marbles of antiquity.