This is an archived copy of George Mason University Plaster Cast Collection, provided by the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media.
George Mason University Plaster Cast Collection

Cast no.46

Dublin Core

Title

Cast no.46

Abstract

Clustered capitals.
Origin unknown.
Stone.
Twelfth century Romanesque(?).
Location unknown.
H 35 in., W 79 inches.
Not in Metropolitan cast catalogue.
Cast Location: Concert Hall Lobby

A clustered row of stone colonnette capitals, probably from the facade of a church. This decorative detail, consisting of birds, animals, and humans entwined or hanging among leafy tendrils right-side-up and upside-down would have originally flanked one of the portals of a church. Architectural details like these served not only as decoration but also to demonstrate the designer's knowledge of classical styles of architecture. It was seen as a mark of prestige to have such details incorporated into a structure, and it showed a level of mastery of that which had once been considered pagan. Furthermore, artists had the opportunity to be creative with a wide range of designs and subject matter. The subjects incorporated in these designs range from generic to pagan to Christian.

~Nathan Barber


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