The earlier adjective in this sense was marbrin early 14c.
Marble origin of word.
The word marble derives from the ancient greek μάρμαρον mármaron from μάρμαρος mármaros crystalline rock shining stone perhaps from the verb μαρμαίρω marmaírō to flash sparkle gleam.
Meaning mottled like marble is mid 15c.
Much of the early classical marble came from the marmaris sea above the aegean.
From 1590s as resembling marble in some figurative quality cold hard insensible etc.
Beekes has suggested that a pre greek origin is probable.
Marble cake is attested from 1864.
Marble adj late 14c consisting of marble from marble n.
Uncountable noun oft noun noun marble is a type of very hard rock which feels cold when you touch it and which shines when it is cut and polished.
The forms from french replaced old english marma which had previously been borrowed from latin.