

Section of a pilaster with acanthus scrolls, first half of 1st century a.d.; Julio-Claudian
Roman
Marble
Roman
Marble
H. 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1910 (10.210.28)
The new buildings erected under Augustus were richly decorated on every possible surface. Cornices, door frames, and column bases were overspread with leafy sculpted vines loaded with fruit, flowers, and small creatures. These images of luxuriant growth, such as depicted on this section of a marble pilaster, became symbols of the prosperity and abundance promised by the emperor.







