Roman, later Imperial period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A beautifully-preserved example of a marble column capital, with a drilled decorative motif of flowers, curlicues, leaves, and, most dramatically, shells/fans at the corners. The base has a round, drilled cylinder used to attach the capital to a column. Delicate swirls and folds speak to the skill of the artisan who made the piece, which would have adorned a luxurious building of Classical style. The base is drilled into so that it could be attached to a column; the top is similarly drilled into in two places. Size: 8.25" W x 9.45" H (21 cm x 24 cm)
The drilled motifs are the clue to the age of this piece. From the 3rd century CE onward, Roman sculptors commonly began to use running drills for decorative effects. Holding a wooden support in one hand to guide the drill bit, the sculptor would drill into the surface at a 30-45 degree angle, repeatedly lifting and moving the drill to create a series of holes at a shallow angle to the surface of the stone, creating the appearance of a channel, as you can see here with the wavy effect used to create the impression of folded leaves. This is not only a beautiful piece, but also demonstrates the skill and tools of Roman artists.
A Roman marble column capital sold at Christie's for $6250 in 2008: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-marble-column-capital-circa-2nd-3rd-5157998-details.aspx
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#140282
Condition
Wear commensurate with age, including a faint stain on the top from water. Motifs still clear.