Capital with Palmettes and Leaves

late 8th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 451

This capital, carved of soft alabaster, demonstrates the emergence of the distinctive Beveled style from an earlier vegetal style in the early Abbasid period. Classical curled leaf forms on more traditionally decorated capitals gave way to the typical slant-cut and more abstract Beveled style carvings. This capital demonstrates a transition between the two styles.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Capital with Palmettes and Leaves
Date: late 8th century
Geography: Made in Syria, probably Raqqa
Medium: Alabaster, gypsum; carved in relief
Dimensions: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
W. 13 3/4 in. (3.9 cm)
D. 13 3/4 in. (3.9 cm)
Wt. 135 lbs. (61.2 kg)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Samuel D. Lee Fund, 1936
Object Number: 36.68.2
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Capital with Leaves, Alabaster, gypsum; carved in relief — Capital with Leaves
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