Marble pilaster capital

Unknown

1st half of 1st century CE · Marble · Greek and Roman Art

The capital was once set against a wall, crowning a rectangular semi-detached pilaster. In Roman architecture three major orders of capitals were used—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. This pilaster capital is a fine example of the most elaborate, the Corinthian order. Three acanthus leaves rise from the base and two flowers on delicately carved stems curl upward between them. A classical molding with stylized lotus flowers over a band of bead and reel separates the lower part of the capital from the two volutes around which a leafy vine entwines. At the top, a single flower decorates the center of the straight abacus.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st half of 1st century CE

Medium

Marble

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1926