Let's Learn About...Marble!

This February, LET’S LEARN ABOUT…Marble!

What is marble?

No, we don’t mean the little round glass marbles. Marble is a natural stone that forms over millions of years. The word comes from the ancient Greek mármaros, which means “shining stone”. Marble is usually white or off white in colour, with patterning. It has been used to create sculptures, furniture, and even entire buildings, like the Taj Mahal in India and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

Above: Floor and walls in marble

How is marble made?

Marble starts out as limestone, a type of soft rock that forms naturally within the earth. Over time, heat and pressure beneath the earth’s crust causes limestone to crystallise and harden into marble.

Let’s look at two marble objects from the ACM collection.

OBJECTS IN THE ACM COLLECTION

Seated Lion

Northern China, Tang dynasty (618–907)

Marble, height 20.5cm

2015-00452

This lion is sculpted seated on its hind legs with its body upright and chest out, looking confident and alert. Observe its open mouth and snarling expression. Why do you think it was made to look this way?

Also known as “foo dogs”, lions are protective symbols in Chinese culture and can often be found outside the entrances of buildings as guardians.

Find the lion on display in our Ancient Religions Gallery on Level 2.

Seated Lion

Northern China, Tang dynasty (618–907)

Marble, height 20.5cm

2015-00452

Also known as “foo dogs”, lions are protective symbols in Chinese culture and can often be found outside the entrances of buildings as guardians.

Find the lion on display in our Ancient Religions Gallery on Level 2.

Jali railings

India, Rajasthan, mid-17th century

Marble, height 31.5cm

1997-02973

These marble panels served as railings for a balcony or terrace. They are decorated with floral and leaf designs, which also appear on the borders of paintings and carpets from the Mughal empire, which ruled much of India for hundreds of years. How many types of flowers and leaves can you spot? Can you tell what they are?

Look for the railings in our Court and Company Gallery on Level 1.

Taj Mahal

Jali railings and window screens can be found throughout the Taj Mahal— a huge marble tomb complex in Agra, India built almost 400years ago.

Jali railings

India, Rajasthan, mid-17th century

Marble, height 31.5cm

1997-02973

Look for the railings in our Court and Company Gallery on Level 1.

Taj Mahal

Jali railings and window screens can be found throughout the Taj Mahal— a huge marble tomb complex in Agra, India built almost 400years ago.

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Learning Activity Online

A monthly series of online resources to learn about our objects through topics, fun facts, quizzes, videos and sharing from ACM folks. See all past Let's Learn About... resources here!