Germany (Hildesheim)

Classical Corinthian Capital with Winged Ox (Symbol of Saint Luke) and Multi-Tiered Acanthus Foliage

2489

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 subsequent Romanesque stonecarving developments.

This image captures a close-up angle of a composite column capital. The bell of the capital features rich, multi-tiered acanthus leaves with deeply ribbed lobes, out of which emerges a sculpted winged ox—the traditional tetramorph symbol of Saint Luke the Evangelist—clutching a gospel book. It is carved from fine-grained limestone or sandstone, executed using deep chisel cutting, drillwork (sottosquadro) for dramatic shadow definition, and high-relief modeling.