Purbeck marble

The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture (third edition) was published in 1980. It was created for Penguin Reference and compiled by John Fleming, Hugh Honour and Nikolaus Pevsner.

It defines purbeck marble as: ‘A dark conglomerate from the Isle of Purbeck capable of receiving a high polish. In fashion in England from the later 12th century onwards and favoured particularing in the 13th century. Used for compound piers in churches Purbeck shafts in conjunction with shafts of normal limestone give a striking effect of light and dark. Also used for effigies all over England.’

Purbeck stone is a type of limestone that appears dark grey in colour due to the presence of a variety of minerals. Purbeck can be polished to give a faux marble effect and so came to be known as ‘Purbeck marble’, popular during medieval times but also used in the 19th century for high quality architectural interior decoration and thin columns.

See also: Purbeck stone.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Defects in stonework.
• Floors of the great medieval churches.
• Limestone for building.
• Purbeck stone.
• Types of stone.