A fragment of (cornice?) moulding, of excellent late Asiatic Greek workmanship in a pure waterleaf pattern on a cyma reversa and with a fillet below; although no provenance is recorded, probably Augustan work executed in Italy towards the end of the first century BC.

Comparison with a later 2nd-1st century BC terracotta casing from Segni now in the Villa Guilia¹ suggests that at this late date Asiatic Greek forms may have acted through architectural terracottas to become an Augustan decorative motive, seen here in the slightly later age of more permanent construction. There are numerous round nail-holes in the similar fragment illustrated by Andrén², and the fact that they are definitely antique may lend weight to the thought that the two nail-holes in the Soane example, in spite of their current use as screw holes, may likewise date from the original mounting of the section. If this were definitely established, not only would we have the parallel for designs borrowed through Italic architectural terracottas, but also evidence of similar methods employed in constructional details.

This Roman moulding is hung in close proximity to two other examples of different mouldings, M598 (also Roman) and M1154. Judging from the fact that there is unpainted wall behind all three they have hung together since Soane's time in this position forming a visual grouping of ancient and modern ornament.

¹ A. Andrén, Architectural Terracottas from Etrusco-Italic Temples, 2 parts, Leipzig, 1940, p. 406, pl. 124, no. 439.
² Loc. cit.

Unrecorded.