Roman, Late Imperial to Early Byzantine Period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A gorgeous, hand-carved marble mortar in a form resembling that of the capital to a Corinthian column. Skillfully sculpted, the elegant vessel displays a flat, heavy base and thick walls that rise to an annular rim. The exterior of the mortar is adorned by an elaborate relief motif of lush foliage featuring 4 acanthus leaves, each with sprawling lobes and outward curling tips, and a beaded bottom border. A pair of knobs flank the rim, serving as petite handles. Size: 8.375" in diameter x 11.125" H (21.3 cm x 28.3 cm)

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."

Provenance: private East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York, New York, USA, before 2010

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#159534

Expected surface wear as shown with some loss to risen areas, such as tops of leaves, and softening of details. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits on interior.