Italian Porphyry

The name porphyry was initially used to indicate a rock extracted in Egypt, known in ancient times as Imperial Red Porphyry or Ancient Red Porphyry. It was extracted in the Egyptian desert in the mountain Jebel Dhokan (up to 500 A.D.) and it was used to build columns, vases, sarcophagus, busts, etc. Porphyry has been known and used since ancient times. Important relics and monuments in porphyry have been discovered at Assyrian-Babylonian, Egyptian and Roman sites. In Roman times the red porphyry, so called for its purple-red colour (in Latin “porphyra”) was a symbol of great prestige and majesty. The range of uses for Porphyry Stone is endless, not only because of their durability and old world Mediterranean appeal. Porphyry is a natural material which is environmentally sound, everlasting and with many design applications from pedestrian paving, driveways, roads to feature walls and landscaping. Porphyry fits all these applications and can be worked into cubes, pavers, tiles, irregular flagging, kerbstones, borders and rustic wall veneer. It is available with sawn or snap cut edges. The standard for our module size has been set to allow for many designs to be made without cutting or splitting stones. By combining the range of Porphyry products with other materials, a simple lane, pathway or forecourt becomes an innovative work of art. High compressive strength means Porphyry stone withstands vehicular traffic and are an ideal material for streetscaping.