Ornate / Large Roman Marble Capital, Acanthus Leaves
**Originally Listed At $4500**
Roman, later Imperial period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A beautifully-preserved marble capital that once graced a classical column, with skillfully drilled acanthus leaves, and pronounced spiral tendrils similar to those found on an Ionic capital. The abacus has characteristically concave sides to blend harmoniously with the outward scrolling corners. Delicate leaf veins and curved tendrils speak to the skill of the artisan who made the piece, which would have adorned a luxurious building of Classical style. Size: 15.625" L x 15.25" W x 9.375" H (39.7 cm x 38.7 cm x 23.8 cm)
The Corinthian order is the most ornate of the orders (as opposed to the earlier Doric and Ionic) boasting slender fluted columns topped by elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves and scrolled volutes like this example. The famous Roman architect Vitruvius observed that the lavish Corinthian design "was produced out of the two other orders." Vitruvius described the Corinthian column as "an imitation of the slenderness of a maiden; for the outlines and limbs of maidens, being more slender on account of their tender years, admit of prettier effects in the way of adornment."
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146679
Condition Report: Two of the upper corners have been reattached. Normal chips/losses to high-pointed areas. Some losses to peripheries have been reattached with restoration over the break lines. Earthen and mineral deposits.
View it on
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
**Originally Listed At $4500**
Roman, later Imperial period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A beautifully-preserved marble capital that once graced a classical column, with skillfully drilled acanthus leaves, and pronounced spiral tendrils similar to those found on an Ionic capital. The abacus has characteristically concave sides to blend harmoniously with the outward scrolling corners. Delicate leaf veins and curved tendrils speak to the skill of the artisan who made the piece, which would have adorned a luxurious building of Classical style. Size: 15.625" L x 15.25" W x 9.375" H (39.7 cm x 38.7 cm x 23.8 cm)
The Corinthian order is the most ornate of the orders (as opposed to the earlier Doric and Ionic) boasting slender fluted columns topped by elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves and scrolled volutes like this example. The famous Roman architect Vitruvius observed that the lavish Corinthian design "was produced out of the two other orders." Vitruvius described the Corinthian column as "an imitation of the slenderness of a maiden; for the outlines and limbs of maidens, being more slender on account of their tender years, admit of prettier effects in the way of adornment."
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146679
Condition Report: Two of the upper corners have been reattached. Normal chips/losses to high-pointed areas. Some losses to peripheries have been reattached with restoration over the break lines. Earthen and mineral deposits.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Similar Items
