A red breccia marble column with Tower of the Winds capital

The capital in sandstone, with remains of polychromy

On an associated sandstone base

145 cm. high overall, the capital 20.5 cm. diameter

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The painted sandstone capital decorated with stylised acanthus leaves on the lower register below a row of interwoven reed or lotus leaves. The design related to the Corinthian capitals from the Tower of the Winds in the Roman Agora, Athens (built circa 50 BC), an example of which is in the British Museum, London (Mus. No. 1885,0416.2).

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The pigment on the capital was tested by C. Hassall Paint Analysis, London, September 2023, who suggested that the manner of applying the gold leaf onto an undercoat of wet oil paint was common practice before the late 18th century. Report available on request.

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