Art Market, Europe, 2000s. Art Market, New York, prior to December 5th, 2002. Private Collection New York, New York
Chips to several carved elements and light earthen deposits, otherwise in great condition. Nice preservation to most carved decoration.
The Corinthian order is the most ornate of the orders (as opposed to the earlier Doric and Ionic) boasting slender fluted columns topped by elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves and scrolled volutes like this example. The famous Roman architect Vitruvius observed that the lavish Corinthian design "was produced out of the two other orders." Vitruvius described the Corinthian column as "an imitation of the slenderness of a maiden; for the outlines and limbs of maidens, being slenderer on account of their tender years, admit of prettier effects in the way of adornment."
