An Umayyad Carved Marble Capital, Spain, Circa 10th-12th Century

of characteristic form and pale stone, with the surface highly carved and drilled with acanthus leaves overlapping around the lower section with egg and dart, diamond and scroll bands above

Some knocks and chips to extremities, overall good condition, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This type of capital with highly carved and drilled surface is similar to the marble capitals in Umayyad Spain during the reign of Abd-al-Rahman III (912-961) and al-Hakam II (961-976). The form is derived from a classical Corinthian prototype and the "honeycombed" effect reflects the influence of trends in the Byzantine world with a tendency to drill rather than carve. A related capital by the sculptor Falih, in the al-Sabah collection, Kuwait (Atil 1990. pp.92-93, no.23) shares some of the same distinct features, such as the egg-an-dart band and the acanthus leaves, and bears the names and titles of al-Hakam, the architect, Taled, the sculptor and the year 362 (A.D.972-3).

There are related examples in the National Museum of Catalunyan Art in Barcelona (see Paris 2000, p.107, no.76), the Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Córdoba, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Musée du Louvre in Paris and the Museo Arqueológico in Madrid.