Germany (Hildesheim)

Classical Corinthian Capital with Anthropomorphic Foliate Mask and Acanthus-Wrapped Impost Block

2486

Created in the Early to High Romanesque period (circa 1010–1033 CE / late 12th-century secondary integration), reflecting the Ottonian architectural campaign under Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim alongside later Romanesque stonecarving developments.

This image captures a composite column capital and sculpted impost block assembly. The lower section features a modified classical Corinthian bell capital adorned with deeply carved acanthus leaves, curling volutes, and a central anthropomorphic head (or "Green Man" / foliate mask element) nestled amidst the upper foliage, while the upper block (impost) displays a continuous frieze of vegetative scrolls inhabited by face masks. It is carved from fine-grained limestone or sandstone, executed using deep chisel cutting, drillwork (sottosquadro) for shadow definition, and relief modeling.