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Lot Essay
This is a large and well preserved example of the capitals carved for Madinat al-Zahra, the capital city of the Umayyad Caliphs. The city was built at vast expense by ‘Abd al-Rahman III (891-961) after he proclaimed himself Caliph in 929. The new imperial city and seat of the Caliphate, situated five kilometres to the east of Cordoba, was destined to house his government and household. Although the city illustrated the refinement and splendour of the Umayyad court, it was short-lived as it was destroyed in 1010 as the Caliphate collapsed.
A number of similar capitals are known, although a close inspection shows that almost all of them differ slightly from one another. This variety of styles appear to ‘typify the adventurous and diverse decorative program sponsored by 'Abd al-Rahman’ for his capital city' (El esplendor de los Omeyas cordobeses, exhibition catalogue, Granada, 2001, pp.131-32). These capitals can be dated to the reign of ‘Abd al-Rahman III (929-961) and that of his successor Al-Hakam II (961-976). A capital excavated at Madinat al-Zahra is closely related to our example both in structure and decoration, a style which has been associated with the late 950s and early 960s and with the construction of the Salon of ‘Abd al-Rahman III in 954-957 (ibid, pp.120-1). The present capital also relates to a fine example in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, which is dated 972-973 (Jerrilynn D. Dodds (ed.), Al Andalus, New York, 1992, no.39, p.247).
One side of this capital was clearly never designed to be finished and is left without decoration as it was probably intended for use on an engaged column, leaving the simpler side next to the wall.
A number of similar capitals are known, although a close inspection shows that almost all of them differ slightly from one another. This variety of styles appear to ‘typify the adventurous and diverse decorative program sponsored by 'Abd al-Rahman’ for his capital city' (El esplendor de los Omeyas cordobeses, exhibition catalogue, Granada, 2001, pp.131-32). These capitals can be dated to the reign of ‘Abd al-Rahman III (929-961) and that of his successor Al-Hakam II (961-976). A capital excavated at Madinat al-Zahra is closely related to our example both in structure and decoration, a style which has been associated with the late 950s and early 960s and with the construction of the Salon of ‘Abd al-Rahman III in 954-957 (ibid, pp.120-1). The present capital also relates to a fine example in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, which is dated 972-973 (Jerrilynn D. Dodds (ed.), Al Andalus, New York, 1992, no.39, p.247).
One side of this capital was clearly never designed to be finished and is left without decoration as it was probably intended for use on an engaged column, leaving the simpler side next to the wall.