Cluster of Columns
ca. 1185 - ca. 1205 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These five capitals are cut from one angled block of stone in an arrangement which forms, in effect, two double capitals and a single 'central' capital. They are carved ca. 1185 - 1205 in Ile-de-France. The shape and arrangement of the cluster of columns suggest that it originally formed the corner of a cloister, the arcade of which would have been supported by double capitals. The capitals and bases are related stylistically to other monuments in Northern France. The foliage and fleshy volutes are similar to capitals at Bourges Cathedral, particularly those in the crypt. This style of foliage continued to develop in the first half of the 13th century, for example at Notre-Dame in Paris.
Although corbel heads are found in the first half of the 13th century in France, the inclusion of heads on capitals in French gothic architecture from the late 12th century is rare.
Although corbel heads are found in the first half of the 13th century in France, the inclusion of heads on capitals in French gothic architecture from the late 12th century is rare.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Limestone for the capital and bases, marble for the columns |
| Brief description | Cluster of columns, marble and limestone, France (Ile-de-France), ca. 1185-1205 |
| Physical description | The five capitals are cut from one angled block of stone in an arrangement which forms, in effect, two double capitals and a single 'central' capital. The capitals are decorated with veined leaves which both form a collar and are splayed to either side of fleshy foliated volutes. The central capital also has two volutes at the middle of the bell. Five heads project from between the capitals. The five bases are carved from a single block and each has a simple leaf form at the corner. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Said to have been found at Grez-sur-Loing or Villemer (Seine-et-Marne), near Nemours, probably ca. 1910; acquired by George Gray Barnard and sold to S.J. Demotte, Paris; bought from Demotte, Paris, in 1911 for £297 10s 1d. Historical significance: Although corbel heads are found in the first half of the 13th century in France, the inclusion of heads on capitals in French gothic architecture from the late 12th century is rare. |
| Historical context | The shape and arrangement of the cluster of columns suggest that it originally formed the corner of a cloister, the arcade of which would have been supported by double capitals. The capitals and bases are related stylistically to other monuments in Northern France. The foliage and fleshy volutes are similar to capitals at Bourges Cathedral, particularly those in the crypt. This style of foliage continued to develop in the first half of the 13th century, for example at Notre-Dame in Paris. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | These five capitals are cut from one angled block of stone in an arrangement which forms, in effect, two double capitals and a single 'central' capital. They are carved ca. 1185 - 1205 in Ile-de-France. The shape and arrangement of the cluster of columns suggest that it originally formed the corner of a cloister, the arcade of which would have been supported by double capitals. The capitals and bases are related stylistically to other monuments in Northern France. The foliage and fleshy volutes are similar to capitals at Bourges Cathedral, particularly those in the crypt. This style of foliage continued to develop in the first half of the 13th century, for example at Notre-Dame in Paris. Although corbel heads are found in the first half of the 13th century in France, the inclusion of heads on capitals in French gothic architecture from the late 12th century is rare. |
| Bibliographic reference | Williamson, Paul and Evelyn, P. Northern Gothic Sculpture 1200-1450. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1988
pp.32 & 35, cat.no.2
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.3-1911 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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