Caen (Calvados), Abbey church of the Holy Trinity (Abbaye-aux-Dames) Capital First third of the 12th century

This half-column capital originates from the Trinité church, in the Abbaye-aux-Dames, in Caen (Calvados). It was carved in limestone during the first third of the 12th century.
It is decorated with fine foliage motifs with beading and small palms arranged in a fan or star shape.
The very fluid plant shapes with large beaded stems are very like the miniatures of the scriptorium of Saint-Ouen, which was very active in Rouen towards the end of the 11^th century.
The close link between sculpture and illustration in manuscripts is a constant feature of the Norman and Anglo-Norman output of the period.

Dimensions of the object
H. 0.47 m ; l. 0.52 m ; Prof. 0.40 m

Bibliography
- Baylé M, La Trinité de Caen sa place dans l'histoire de l'architecture et du décor, Arts et Métiers Graphiques, Paris, 1979
- Baylé M, La sculpture romane en Normandie à l'époque ducale, Art de Basse-Normandie n°92, Printemps 1985
- Les Normands, peuple d'Europe, Catalogue de l'exposition, Rome, Venise, 1994. Paris, Flammarion, 1995, p. 489
- Thybert H, Inventaire du lapidaire roman du Musée de Normandie, Association Caen-Archéologie, 1992

Location
Musée de Normandie, Caen, Calvados
DSAN 83 1218 004, Dépôt de la Société des Antiquaires de Normandie