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Source Image: PR302_06_23 of Pilaster Capital (5) of Aphrodisias: Miscellaneous Architecture

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Description

Detail of a decorated pilaster capital.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Miscellaneous Architecture 
Monument Part
Pilaster Capital (5) 
Monument Type
Architecture 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
post ad 350 - pre ad 500 
Keywords
Aphrodite/VenusFoliagePilaster Capital  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 
Current Location
Aphrodisias Museum 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
The figure on the left is worked with the flat chisel but only relatively roughly.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Drill
Method
Vertical (90°)
Description
Drill holes can be clearly seen throughout the leaves on the right of this pilaster. Several different sizes of holes are visible, indicating that the carvers had multiple drill bits to hand. In most cases these holes have not been carved between.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Channelling Tool
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Gentle
Description
In certain places a narrow channelling tool has been used to carve between drill holes to create a deep groove.

Notes

This detail shows a part-finished pilaster capital on which a number of working stages are visible. The figure to the left has been quite roughly shaped with a narrow flat chisel, and the foliage on the right appears to have gone through this stage of work too. Before any more detailed work was done, though, the carver started with the drill on the leaves and followed this up with some use of the channelling tool. At this stage the capital was presumably needed and so no drilling or finer carving was undertaken on the central figure.

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