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Capital with Four Heads

ca. 1225–50
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
In 863 a monk named Theodosius wrote of the grandeur of Palermo, describing it as “full of citizens and strangers. . . . Blended with the Sicilians the Greeks, the Lombards and the Jews, there are Arabs, Berbers, Persians, Tartars, Africans, some wrapped in long robes and turbans . . . faces oval, square, or round, of every complexion and profile, beards and hair of every variety of color and cut.” The four heads emerging from acanthus leaves to form the corners of this capital attest to Theodosius’ comments. The heads are close in style to other examples by Apulian sculptors working for the court of Frederick II Hohenstaufen.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Capital with Four Heads
  • Date: ca. 1225–50
  • Geography: Made in Apulia, probably Troia, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: Overall: 14 1/8 x 13 x 13 in. (35.9 x 33 x 33 cm)
    Base: 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
    Hole for Pin Mount: 9/16 x 2 3/16 in. (1.4 x 5.5 cm)
    weight: 108lb. (49kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Architectural
  • Credit Line: Gift of James Hazen Hyde, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.66
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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