PROBABLY MADINA AL-ZAHRA, SOUTH SPAIN, SECOND HALF 10TH CENTURY

細節

AN UMMAYAD ANDALUSIAN CARVED MARBLE CAPITAL
PROBABLY MADINA AL-ZAHRA, SOUTH SPAIN, SECOND HALF 10TH CENTURY
Of typical form developed from the Roman Corinthian order, with traditional acanthus leaves used in two rows and an intricate foliate pattern above a bead-and-reel border that divides the main body from the upper register, with volutes terminiating in small fleur-de-lis, the fourth side of simpler form without fine detailing, extremities rubbed and damaged, later carved dip in top
8¾in. (22.3cm.) high

注意事項

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Please note that the lots of Iranian origin are subject to U.S. trade restrictions which currently prohibit the import into the United States. Similar restrictions may apply in other countries.

拍品專文

A number of similar capitals are known, although a close inspection shows that almost all of them differ slightly one from another. The present capital is very similar indeed to a number of examples which can be dated to the reign of Al-Hakam II, one of the best of which, bearing a signature and date, is in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (Jerrilynn D. Dodds (ed.), Al Andalus, New York, 1992, no.39, p.247). Even more similar in terms of decoration and size is one that was excavated at Medinat al-Zahra and is dated to the second half of the tenth century (El Esplendor de los Omeyas cordobeses, exhibition catalogue, Granada, 2001, pp.120-1).

One side of this capital was clearly never designed to be finished. not only is there no decoration, but the volutes do not extend as far as those on the other sides so could never have been carved fully. It was probably intended for use on an engaged column, leaving the simpler side next to the wall.

A very well preserved capital of similar layout and decoration was sold in these Rooms, 11 October 2005, lot 21.