Capital
late 12–early 13th century
Object PlaceFrance
Medium/TechniqueStone; limestone
Dimensions25.5 x 21 x 28 cm (10 1/16 x 8 1/4 x 11 in.)
Credit LineGift of J. Templeman Coolidge
Accession number19.68
On View
On viewClassificationsArchitectural elements
Collections
Capitals, the crowning elements of columns, provided areas for sculptural decoration in church interiors and monastic cloisters. The most extravagantly carved capitals might include figures, narrative scenes, plant life, animals, or fantastic beasts. These examples display mythical creatures including the dragon and possibly the amphisbaena--a serpent with a head at either end of its body--both believed in medieval times to exist.
Provenance1919, sold by Dikran Kelekian (dealer; b. 1867 - d. 1951), New York, to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 27, 1919)
Unidentified artist
1443–56
15th century
Late 16th century
15th century
early 16th century
about 1560
