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Column

Column

  • Place of origin:

    Calabria, Italy (possibly, made)
    Sicily, Italy (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    1225-1250 (carved)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carved walnut

  • Museum number:

    269B-1886

  • Gallery location:

    Medieval and Renaissance, room 8, case FS

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This is one of four columns, two of them supported by lions, which probably supported a raised pulpit (or ambo). The ornament includes figures of the prophets Jeremiah and Zachariah, believed to have foretold the Coming of Christ and his Passion. Also represented are St Paul with his sword, the archangel Michael slaying the dragon, and St Stephen.

Physical description

Carved column, walnut.

Place of Origin

Calabria, Italy (possibly, made)
Sicily, Italy (possibly, made)

Date

1225-1250 (carved)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Carved walnut

Dimensions

Height: 219.1 cm without base, Width: 43 cm, Weight: 303 kg Including base/frame, Depth: 43 cm

Object history note

This column has a circular shaft and squared capital. Many decorative patterns and motifs embellish the column. The four faces of the capital show St Paul, holding his customary sword, with St Michael with dragon, intertwined with stylised plants and beasts.

For original context see P. Williamson, 'Catalogue of Romanesque Sculpture' (V&A publication, London, 1983), p.76.

Historical context note

Church furnishings carved from wood from this date are very rare, partly because wood does not survive as well as stone, but also because stones such as marble were seen as the more prestigious material, and thus better suited to a church interior.

Descriptive line

Carved column, walnut wood, Southern Italy (Calabria?) or Sicily, 1225-1250

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

See Catalogue record for 269-1886.

Subjects depicted

Birds; Dragon; Palm trees; Rabbit; Snake (animal); St. Paul; St. Michael

Categories

Sculpture; Architecture

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O17759
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