Capital with a Basket-Weave Pattern and Rams’ Heads

Unknown

5th–6th century · Limestone; carved in relief · Islamic Art

The monastic community of Bawit, founded in the 300s by Apa (Father) Apollo at a small village, grew to consist of numerous complexes with residences, chapels, and service structures and two large churches profusely decorated with sculptures and paintings, often reused from other sites, all affiliated with the Coptic church. The more important buildings were decorated with courses of sculpted stone freely combining floral and geometric motifs inspired by classical art – rosettes, acanthus leaves, meander patterns – with more recent Christian themes. Basket-weave capitals were popular throughout the Byzantine world in this period.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–6th century

Medium

Limestone; carved in relief

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1910