Decorative Roundel
Unknown Artist
12th–13th century
Medium
Marble (Carrera marble from Carrera (Italy))
Dimensions
Overall: 12 1/16 x 10 1/2 x 6 in. (30.6 x 26.7 x 15.2 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Architectural
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1909
Accession Number
09.152.12
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Decorative Roundel*, from fine Carrara marble in 12th–13th Italy, exemplifies the artistry of Medieval architectural sculpture. Measuring just over 12 inches in diameter, this circular panel was likely designed to adorn a church facade, cloister, or portal, where such roundels served as ornamental accents enhancing sacred spaces. Carrara marble, quarried from the renowned Apuan Alps in Tuscany, was prized for its luminous white purity and workability, making it a staple for Italian sculptors during the Romanesque and early Gothic periods. The roundel's intricate low-relief car...