Capital and beam fragment. Mozarabic, 11th century.
Carved wood.
Measurements: 15 x 57 x 10 cm. (beam); 33 x 24 x 24 cm.(capital).
Acanthus leaves with symmetrical leaflets are characteristic of Mozarabic art, as can be seen in this capital. In Mozarabic architecture it was common to use the column as a support, crowned by a Corinthian capital decorated with highly stylised vegetal elements. The beam is also carved with synthetic vegetal fretwork, in this case reducing the fleur-de-lis or lily to a geometric pattern of interlacing. Mozarabic art was developed by the Hispanic Christians who lived in Muslim territory in the period from the Muslim invasion (711) to the end of the 11th century, preserving their religion and a certain ecclesiastical and judicial autonomy.