Citation
"Abacus of Capital from the Abbey of Santa María de Lebanza (Unidentified Artist) , 1926.4.1.B,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Sep 07, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/232083.
Reuse via IIIF
Download
The abacus of a capital is the flat, slab-like piece at the top that connects the column to the surface it supports. This abacus has two sections that each wrap horizontally around the three outer sides of the capital. The top section is narrower and has Latin text. The wider bottom section is carved with acanthus leaves. They curl and intertwine together in a repeating pattern of orientation, creating a repeating shape that forms a decorative border above the capital.