The Grandeur of Marble: A Guide to Styles and Types of Marble

Origins

Synonymous with luxury, marble has become a staple in home design. From furniture to architectural pieces, marble is found in homes around the world. With a rich history, marble has been found in a myriad of ancient civilizations including within Egyptian tombs, in Incan sites, and the more recognizable Roman and Grecian temples.

Though many factors contribute to the popularity of this striking stone, one key is the expansive options in style and color. The magnificent range is due to composition and which elements are within the rock to give it unique colors. Marble is a compact metamorphic rock that has been subjected to pressure and high temperatures, causing high crystallization and ultimately the beauty we get to experience in each slab.

Please enjoy this guide to the types of marbles we currently have showcased at the Jean-Marc Fray gallery!

Carrara Marble

Originating from the Tuscan region of Italy, the stone is quarried in the small city of Carrara, settled between the western edge of the Apuan Alps and the cost of the Ligurian Sea. The town was founded in the early 2nd Century BC and marble was cut from the mountains to be used in building the city of Rome into the gleaming empire it became. Since, Carrara marble has rarely gone out of style with several booms including the Renaissance when money was poured into the arts and marble sculpture.

Though each marble style has its own unique beauty, Carrara marble is especially appealing for interiors as it tends to have a soft, ethereal appeal. With a white to blue gray background and feathery veining throughout, Carrara is the perfect way to add a touch of grandeur to a space. At the Jean-Marc Fray gallery, we often have tables and statuary made of Carrara, yet the most common source of this material is on our chests and buffets. Considered a luxury throughout France and Italy in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, these original marble slab tops show that the allure of Carrara is still alive today. Carrara marble is the most common marble we receive in our gallery!

Sainte-Anne Marble

Sainte-Anne, specifically Saint Anne Des Pyrenees marble, is quarried in Arudy, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the Pyrenees Mountains of France. Only associated with the saint due to the religious area of France, the name gives the marble a stately and historic quality. Though most known as the patron saint of women and motherhood, Saint Anne is also the patron saint of furniture makers.

Known for it’s dramatic appearance Saint Anne Des Pyrenees marble has a deep gray background with prominent white veining. Highly valued for it’s aesthetic appeal, the marble is considered very high end and often used in furniture design. The unique flow of the veining stands out against the dark fields of stone. With each slab being especially one-of-a-kind when the veining is so intricate, the marble has a timeless opulence. The combination of dark tones with the high contrast makes it aesthetically complex and can be used with many styles, from classic to contemporary. 

Breche d’Alep Marble

Extracted originally in the commune of Tholonet in Bouches-du-Rhône, this striking stone is from a few specific areas in France and historically has had a strong French appeal. It was first quarried in the early 18th century as it was very popular at the time for use in furniture and fireplaces, especially in the Rococo style. Due to the highly sought after status, Breche d’Alep has been largely depleted in France. This makes it even more desirable, though often only found on vintage and antique pieces.

The term Breche refers to a myriad of marbles that all contain large elements in a graphic array, created from the pressure at the time of geological formation. Breche d’Alep specifically has a yellow toned background with many browns, pinks, and oranges found throughout. The colors of the marble often suit a French provencal style perfectly and were found at the Palace of Versaille and many other classic French estates.

Calacatta Viola Marble

Similarly to the Carrara marble described above, Calacatta Viola originates from Carrara, Italy. Specifically originating the Apuan Alps, this area of Italy has a long and storied history of marble. Calacatta Viola has been an especially prized variety due to it’s dramatic veining and elegance. Often associated with the grandeur of European cathedrals and palaces, especially in the Renaissance era, the Calacatta Viola marble brings to mind history and quality.

Today, the marble is often used in homes and furniture to bring the timeless qualities to a more personal level. The cream backgrounds with the rich wine reds, burgundy tones, and plum veining make this a perfect choice for many styles.

 

Portoro Marble

With a rich history dating back to ancient Rome, the Italian black marble known as Nero Portoro is distinctive due to the gold veining throughout. The luxurious appearance has created a prized status as it has been used in structures across Europe and was a favorite for European royalty. Historically believed to have been discovered by the sculptor Domenico Casella, it has also been used for artwork. Primarily sourced in Portovenere in the Liguria region of Italy, it continues to be highly sought after.