Publication Place
-
Society of Portuguese Archaeologists
Subject
Limestone, relief sculpture.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
العلو: 95 سم؛ الطول: 43 سم؛ العرض: 41 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
Esc. 404
Record ID
object;ISL;pt;Mus01_C;25;ar
Library Location
Archaeological Museum in Carmo
Notes
Fragment of a buttress that often separated the inner naves of a small monastic temple, located in the eastern suburb of Lisbon; In this Mozarabic temple, they venerated the relics of San Felix and San Adrião. This piece belongs to a pillar whose four faces are decorated with images of mythical animals, including guinea pigs (creatures that are half eagle and half lion) and dwarves (creatures that are half human and half horse), inserted into medallions formed from interlocking laurel wreaths, superimposed vertically on each face of the pillar. Five of these medallions remain intact today, as well as parts of two other medallions on the second decorative panel. As in other contemporary sculptures found in Lisbon, these relief sculptures express a sophisticated decorative sense, and also indicate an intuitive “fear of the void,” as attested by the decorative density in each panel. This sense of decorative perfection is also supported by the fact that the corners and gaps within the capitals are furnished with delicate palmettes, which sometimes appear to be generated from lilies whose leaves have been doubled or from leaf petioles. The mythical animals, whose positions vary and with their backs turned to each other, were carved by engraving the circumference of their limbs in a way that highlights them on two levels: the upper face, which corresponds to the animal’s body, is formed by lines engraved on the stone that clearly show the anatomical details. As for the laurel wreaths and palm leaves, they were shaped with a beveled edge, just like similar ones found in various sites in Lisbon, and there is no doubt that they were produced in the same workshop.
Sample Text
Manuel Luís Real “Decorative pillar” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;pt;Mus01_C;25;ar
