Capital with figures and animals

Two rows of acanthus leaves, separated by a gap, wrap around the twin capitals in the manner of a frill or cuff. Instead of richly treated volutes on the corners there are decorated bands of fruit garlands, out of which protrude woodland animals, birds, serpents, and a female bust.  

The small stalks, which grow out of the rows of garland and long leaves, function as a rostrum for the figures. Delicate and agile, the figures balance on the narrow surface and grasp firmly onto the bands or abacus leaves. With baskets of food they lure the animals from the fruit arrangements. On the south side one of the putti holds a deer by the antlers, while his companion on the opposite side of the capital feeds a serpent.

That which the capital borrows from classical antiquity, which links it to sculpture from Apulia and Campania, is more likely jovial in nature than ominous or threatening, however. Hunting and combat – the subject of many other capitals in the cloister at Monreale – are not the theme here.

animal combat deer Campania hunting Apulia antler food-basket band rostrum bust serpent bird fruit-garland