Italia, Roma, VI secolo d.C.

Grande colonna tortile, in marmo bigio morato e bianco, con andamento sinistroso e con leggera entasi nella parte mediana; basamento di epoca posteriore; minimi restauri e piccole mancanze

Overall the condition of the column is good. There is some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are naturally occurring veins and inclusions. Some of the resulting minor losses were filled. There are small chips all round the spiral carving of the column. The column is levelled with composite to sit well on the base
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

BIBLIOGRAFIA DI RIFERIMENTO
A. L. Frothingham, Jr., "Archaeological News," The American Journal of Archaeology and of the History of the Fine Arts, Vol. 5, n. 4, Dic., 1889, p. 501;
R. Gnoli, Marmora Romana, Roma, 1988, p. 179;
G. Borghini a cura di, Marmi Antichi, Roma, 1998, cat. 16, p. 158.

Gli imperatori bizantini furono appassionati collezionisti di marmi pregiati e tra questi apprezzarono particolarmente il bigio morato. La corte di Costantinopoli commissionò oggetti ed opere preziose in questo marmo per collezioni imperiali come regali reali. L'uso più ricco di questi tipi di marmi, per la decorazione interna ed esterna dei palazzi imperiali di Costantinopoli, raggiunse più alti livelli di opulenza come può essere visto nella qualità scultorea di questa colonna. Colpisce in particolare la decorazione a spirale che, scolpita su di un marmo di tale durezza, raffigura un esempio di virtuosismo scultoreo non comune.
Colonne nello stesso marmo furono usate nella Villa Adriana ed altre, databili dopo il IV secolo dopo Cristo, furono dissepolte negli scavi della Casa di Alfenius Ceionus Chamenius (rinvenute sotto le fondamenta della chiesa di Sant' Andrea degli Scozzesi, a Roma).

Byzantine Emperors cherished hardstones such as the grayish black bigio morato.  They had the precious material carved into vessels for their own collections and to present as royal as royal gifts.  The most oppulent use of the stones were as internal and external decoration of their palaces, as was the case with the present column.  It is particularily impresive for the spiral design, which is meticulously carved into such a hardstone, an arduous task for the stone carver.  Byzantine columns of bigio morato were used at the Villa Adriana and discovered in the ruins of the 4th century House of Alfenius Ceionius Kamenius, in Rome (unearthed under the foundations of the Scotch Chapel).