Inscribed Door Frame
The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University
Atlanta, United States
Originally part of a door or window frame carved in the second century AD, this marble strut has been repurposed at least twice since antiquity. Sometime between 1190 and 1191, it was re-carved with an inscription naming Pope Clement III (died March 20, 1191) and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI (succeeded to the throne June 10, 1190). In the eighteenth century, it was then used as an internal scaffold securing a base and lid to the Roman puteal (wellhead) (2006.38.1) so as to convert it into a pedestal for a statue. This, in turn, was sold by the Scottish antiquities dealer, Gavin Hamilton, to the Marquis of Shelburne, whose widely-celebrated private collection of classical sculpture was displayed at Lansdowne House in London.
- Title: Inscribed Door Frame
- Location: Europe, Italy
- Physical Dimensions: 41 3/8 x 4 x 4 1/2 in. (105.1 x 10.2 x 11.4 cm)
- Provenance: Possibly with Gavin Hamilton (1723-1798), Rome, Italy, late 18th Century. Ex coll. William Petty (1737-1805), First Marquess of Lansdowne, Lansdowne House, London, England, from late 18th Century. Thence by descent. Christie's London, Ancient Marbles from the Marquess of Lansdowne Collection, March 5, 1930. Ex coll. Joseph Altounian, thence by descent. Purchased by MCCM from Rupert Wace Ancient Art, Ltd., London, England.
- Rights: © Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Bruce M. White
- External Link: https://collections.carlos.emory.edu/objects/26264/
- Medium: Marble (Luna [Carrara])
- Art Movement: Italian
- Dates: late 12th-mid 13th Century
- Classification: Greek and Roman Art
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