An Early 19th Century Black Belgian Marble Tazza

A fine black marble tazza of exceptional quality and condition, the turned upper section set upon a square stepped plinth.

A tazza is a shallow, often wide saucer on a stem or foot, traditionally used for serving small foods, drinking or for decorative purposes. One of the most famous tazzas known to archaeologists, the Farnese Cup, stems from the 2nd century BC and currently resides in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. This form was much copied throughout the classical revivals of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This example in black marble has a gloriously pure form which relates entirely to known objects of Classical antiquity.