Order

Corinthian Order (II.Ist.6.1)

Detail
Order type
Corinthian Order
Building
Column of Marcian (II.Ist.6)
Date
AD 450-452
Provenance
Istanbul, on the modern Kıztaşı Caddesi, south of Fatih Camii
Period of use
mid-5th century to present day
Materials
Egyptian grey (Granite)
White marble (Marble)
Dimensions

The total height of the monument above modern street level (as measured by P. Schazmann in 1934) is 16.52 m. 

Bibliography

See Schazmann in Kollwitz, J. 1941. Oströmische Plastik der theodosianischen Zeit. Berlin: de Gruyter, 73-75 pl. 12-14 

 

Components
Pedestal (II.Ist.6.1.a)

This four-sided pedestal, carved of white marble, features moulding at its base which parallels the mouldings found on the Attic-Ionic base above. All four faces of the pedestal are decorated with figural reliefs. The east, west, and south faces of the pedestal bear clipei (round shields), which ar…

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Photos by (in order): Allison B. Kidd
Base (II.Ist.6.1.a)

This Attic-Ionic base, carved in white marble, features similar mouldings to that of the bottom of the pedestal below. Though much of the base is now covered with modern metal clamps (to maintain the monument's stability), it is clear that the overall proportions of the base were squat, though …

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Socle (II.Ist.6.1.aa)

Only part of the uppermost block is presently visible, though in the late 18th century it was described as having a stepped moulding (Pococke).

Full measurements and description are unavailable due to present state of excavation.

Column shaft (II.Ist.6.1.b)

This monolithic column shaft was carved from Egyptian grey granite, probably deriving from Aswan.

Considering the dedicatory date of this monument and the origins of this stone, it is likely that this monolith has been reused. Even so, it may have been cut down or reshaped for its present location…

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Photos by (in order): Allison B. Kidd
Corinthian Capital (II.Ist.6.1.c)

This Corinthian capital is carved in white marble. It features two crowns of eight acanthus leaves, from which emerge eight further bracts of acanthus leaves and outer helices. Between the outer helices on the lip of the kalathos is an egg and dart pattern, framed by incipient palmettes. Above, the…

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Photos by (in order): Allison B. Kidd Allison B. Kidd
Impost Capital (II.Ist.6.1.d)

This impost, carved in white marble, crowns the monument. The block is square and features a broad neck at its base, a tall register decorated with eagles at each corner, and a broad, simple abacus above. Each eagle stands the entire height of the register and is sculpted in a slightly different ma…

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Photos by (in order): Allison B. Kidd