This unusually large 24.5cm slice of Cotham Marble has exactly the kind of dramatic natural patterning that made the material famous as a decorative stone. Across the polished face, dark branching structures rise through pale grey and cream layers, creating an unmistakable landscape-like scene reminiscent of trees standing against a distant horizon.

The size really works in this specimen’s favour. Rather than showing only a small isolated section of pattern, the long panoramic face allows the “landscape” to run almost continuously across the stone. Darker tree-like forms are particularly concentrated through the centre and right-hand side, while softer grey banding above and warm cream layers below create a strong sense of depth.

The contrast is excellent, with charcoal-grey markings standing clearly against the much lighter background. The upper natural edge retains the layered character of the original rock, while the polished display face brings out the fine internal detail. Natural fissures and minor edge irregularities remain visible, including the prominent pale vein toward the centre, but these sit comfortably within the geological character of the specimen rather than detracting from its presentation.

Despite its name, Cotham Marble is not a true metamorphic marble. It is an uppermost Triassic stromatolitic limestone, traditionally known as “Landscape Marble” because cut surfaces reveal distinctive tree- and scenery-like structures. The material is named after Cotham in Bristol and became especially popular as an ornamental stone during the Victorian period.

Material: Cotham Marble – Stromatolitic Limestone
Age: Late Triassic (Rhaetian), approximately 205 million years old
Origin: England

A particularly strong display example, combining substantial size, excellent contrast and an unusually extensive landscape pattern.

Approximate size: 24.5cm

All specimens are genuine and carefully selected for quality and presentation.