Early Byzantine basket capitals
Type:
Capitals
Date:
mid-sixth century
Medium:
Marble
Description:
Early Byzantine capitals carved in or near Constantinople were exported across the Mediterranean. These "basket" capitals are each worked from a single block of marble, deeply undercut to create a lacelike impression of woven wickerwork. This required considerable technical skill. Above the basket, a garland encloses a medallion on each side, most of which contain a six-rayed form, perhaps a simplified Christogram. Eagles project strongly from the corners.
Instead of a Christogram, one of the capitals bears the monogram of Pope John II (r. 470–535); he may have commissioned the set. They were once in the church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Rome, where they may have been used in the ciborium. In the sixteenth century, an Italian cardinal replaced one of the Christograms with the Mattei family crest.
The four capitals were brought to Lyon (France) by Napoleon's uncle, who became the archbishop there; they are now displayed in the Lyon cathedral treasury.
Instead of a Christogram, one of the capitals bears the monogram of Pope John II (r. 470–535); he may have commissioned the set. They were once in the church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Rome, where they may have been used in the ciborium. In the sixteenth century, an Italian cardinal replaced one of the Christograms with the Mattei family crest.
The four capitals were brought to Lyon (France) by Napoleon's uncle, who became the archbishop there; they are now displayed in the Lyon cathedral treasury.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
3
Image Credits:
Linda Safran
