Breccia

Egyptian jar
MFA# 11.608

Description

Breccia is a Sedimentary stone composed of coarse, angular fragments cemented in a fine-grain matrix, usually of a contrasting color. The matrix may be composed of sedimentary Limestone, Silt, Silica, or volcanic ash. Breccia is used as an ornamental building stone.

Synonyms and Related Terms

sarrancolin marble; Brekzie (Deut.); brekcja (Pol.); brecha (Port.);

Additional Images

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  Breccia

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  Basalt breccia

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  Breccia

Resources and Citations

• Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982

• R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, Rocks, Fossils and Gems, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997

• C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breccia (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005)

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 907

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "breccia" [Accessed January 22, 2002].

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998