The Marbles - Area 6 - Cipollino (marmor carystium)

Panel 101 - Location

The different stages of making large column shafts are documented in detail at the quarries of Kylindroi near Karystos.

Panel 100 - Figure 1Sample of cipollino marble from the Podesti Collection
(Pensabene P., Bruno M. 1998)
Panel 100 - Figure 2Sample of cipollino marble from the Podesti Collection
(Pensabene P., Bruno M. 1998)

The heavy blocks were exported at different stages of finishing, as shown by some of the pieces on display: the almost completely finished intact shaft (H) illustrates the final stages, carried out by specialized stonecutters at the statio marmorum on Isola Sacra.

Panel 101 - Figure 3Karystos. View of the Kylindroi quarry with abandoned column shafts measuring 40 feet (12 m) in length
(Bruno M. 1992)

Other cylindrical pieces, without mouldings at the ends and lacking the tapering of the shaft, were destined for the production of marble discs to be used in floor decorations.

Panel 101 - Figure 4Karystos. The Aetos quarry with shafts damaged during extraction and abandoned at the site
(Bruno M. 1992)

See also:

The marbles