Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, Haute-Garonne, France

Sculpted Interlace Capital of the Romanesque Cloister at Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

2031

Romanesque, c. 1120–1150 CE

A double-drum capital from the Romanesque cloister at Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, its entire bell surface enveloped in continuous geometric interlace of braided cord strands forming a diamond-grid configuration. Unlike the zoomorphic and foliate capitals elsewhere in the cloister walk, this example is purely aniconic: interlocking ribbons of even width cross and recross across the stone in patterns suggesting woven textile or macramé. Each strand is incised with parallel longitudinal grooves giving the carved cords a supple, flexible appearance. The abacus above carries a tight herringbone and basket-weave frieze, and deep undercutting behind the strand crossings creates stark shadow lines that animate the surface as light shifts through the arcade.