Capital with Acanthus Leaves

Description This capital's acanthus-leaf decoration is an abstract interpretation of the Corinthian capital used in Greek and Roman architecture. It is accented by a geometric pattern of drill holes. The carving is from a church in Avignon, Provence, where a preference for foliate capitals over figural ones may be partly explained by the survival of many Roman buildings in that region.

Provenance Owned by Paul Grigaut. Acquired by Sloan's Art Galleries, Washington, D. C.; purchased by Walters Art Museum, November, 1973.

Credit Museum purchase, 1973