Sterling silver placeholder-obelisk with porphyry

This sterling silver and red porphyry obelisk is one of a set of 12, which can also be purchased individually. Each piece functions as a table placeholder, with a card for the diner's name inserted behind the silver triangle.

Red porphyry is instantly recognizable by its rich reddish-purple color and its distinctive speckled appearance, caused by embedded crystals. Prized since antiquity, especially in the Roman Empire, it symbolized power and was reserved for emperors. The stone’s exceptional hardness (Mohs 7) made it ideal for grand architectural elements.

One of the most impressive displays of red porphyry can be seen in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, where massive columns and urns carved from single blocks adorn the Malachite Room. Such large-scale use highlights the rarity and prestige of this volcanic stone, whose beauty and historical importance continue to captivate.