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Cast of part of a ionic capital from the Erechtheion, Athens
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Proper left side, SM M1250. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Lewis Bush
Cast of part of a ionic capital from the Erechtheion, Athens
Plaster cast
Museum number: M1250
On display: Drawing Office - also known as the Students Room (pre-booked tours only)
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
This cast is more fragmentary than photographs indicate, being built into a wooden box frame for mounting on the wall.
Soane knew the Erechtheion, a temple on the Acropolis, as the 'Temple of Erechtheus' and only from secondary published sources and the reports of others, for example James Stuart and Nicholas Revett, as he never visited Greece himself.
Although it is possible that this cast was taken in Athens by an early expedition, the British Museum acquired an original anta capital of this form from Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin, in1816 (British Museum 1816,0610.255) which came from the east porch of the Erechtheion. As this original was in the British Museum during Soane's lifetime it is therefore possible that this cast was made in London; it was certainly acquired by Soane in England.
Soane knew the Erechtheion, a temple on the Acropolis, as the 'Temple of Erechtheus' and only from secondary published sources and the reports of others, for example James Stuart and Nicholas Revett, as he never visited Greece himself.
Although it is possible that this cast was taken in Athens by an early expedition, the British Museum acquired an original anta capital of this form from Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin, in1816 (British Museum 1816,0610.255) which came from the east porch of the Erechtheion. As this original was in the British Museum during Soane's lifetime it is therefore possible that this cast was made in London; it was certainly acquired by Soane in England.
Associated items
M1290, another similar
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk