When you think of the priceless treasures at the Vatican Museum, your mind likely jumps to the iconic artworks – Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, the ancient and Renaissance sculptures, or the rare manuscripts secreted away in the libraries. However, one of the most valuable items in the museum’s collection has nothing to do with art or literature. Instead, it is a humble yet staggeringly expensive bathtub.
The Emperor’s Purple Porphyry Bathtub
The “porphyry basin” as it is officially known, was commissioned in the 1st century AD by the notorious Roman emperor Nero for his lavish Domus Aurea (Golden House) complex. Made entirely of the rare and prized purple porphyry marble, the basin weighs over 1,000 pounds and has been estimated to be worth a staggering $2 billion.
The reason for its exorbitant value lies in the provenance and exclusivity of the material. Porphyry was highly sought-after by Roman emperors due to its deep, distinctive purple hue, which was a symbol of wealth and power. However, the stone was exceedingly difficult to come by, as it was mined from a single remote quarry in Roman-controlled Egypt called Mons Porphyrites.
The journey to transport the massive porphyry blocks from the Egyptian desert to Rome was an epic undertaking. After being painstakingly quarried, the marble had to be carried overland to the Nile, loaded onto ships, and then transported across the Mediterranean before making the final leg of the trip overland to the capital. This logistical challenge is what drove up the cost and exclusivity of porphyry, making it a true status symbol for the Roman elite.
More Than Just a Bathtub
While the sheer size and provenance of Nero’s porphyry basin is impressive, it is not the only reason it is considered one of the Vatican Museum’s most valuable treasures. Bathtubs, as mundane as they may seem, have long held a special significance as symbols of wealth and power.
In ancient Rome, bathing was not just a practical necessity but also a social activity, with the wealthy and powerful often using their lavish bathing chambers as spaces to host guests and display their opulence. Nero’s porphyry basin, with its gargantuan proportions and striking purple hue, would have been a true showpiece – a testament to the emperor’s status and architectural ambitions.
Even beyond the Roman era, bathtubs have continued to be imbued with a certain mystique and exclusivity. The 17th-century French monarch Louis XIV, for instance, was known to have his red marble tub scented with the fashionable “odeur de Nerolie” perfume, further enhancing the aura of luxury.
The Challenges of Moving Marble
While the historical significance and symbolic power of Nero’s porphyry bathtub are undeniable, the practical challenges of transporting and installing such a massive, heavy object have persisted over the centuries. Even with modern technology, moving large slabs of marble remains a logistical nightmare.
As Lee Stahl, the president of a New York design-build company, explains, “the cost of transporting, insuring, and hoisting marble 14 stories in the air to get it into a building has skyrocketed.” This is a problem that would have been acutely felt by the ancient Romans, who had to devise ingenious methods to move the porphyry from the Egyptian quarries all the way to Rome.
In fact, the difficulties associated with transporting imperial porphyry are a large part of what drove up its value and exclusivity in the ancient world. The fact that the Vatican Museum’s priceless bathtub has survived intact to the present day is a testament to the engineering prowess of its Roman creators.
The Most Expensive Bathtub in the World?
While Nero’s porphyry basin is undoubtedly one of the most valuable artifacts in the Vatican Museum’s collection, its true market value has yet to be definitively proven. Currently, the title of “most expensive bathtub in the world” belongs to the Le Grand Queen, a two-person bathtub carved from 180-million-year-old petrified wood, which sold at auction in 2016 for $1.74 million.
Nonetheless, the porphyry basin’s estimated worth of $2 billion is a staggering figure that underscores the enduring allure and exclusivity of this ancient Roman treasure. Its combination of historical significance, material rarity, and sheer scale make it a truly priceless addition to the Vatican’s world-renowned collection.
Conclusion
The porphyry basin in the Vatican Museum is a remarkable example of how even the most mundane of objects can be elevated to the realm of the priceless and the extraordinary. What began as a lavish bathtub commissioned by the notorious Emperor Nero has become a testament to the engineering prowess, wealth, and ambition of the Roman Empire.
While the Vatican’s collection is filled with iconic masterpieces, this unassuming yet colossal bathtub stands as a powerful reminder that true value often lies in the most unexpected places. As we continue to marvel at the Vatican’s treasures, let us not forget the humble yet awe-inspiring porphyry basin – a testament to the enduring power of human ingenuity and the eternal human desire for luxury and status.
