6th-7th century AD. A carved limestone column capital with four radiating acanthus fronds and interposed spandrels beneath, overhanging square plinth with raised octofoil above. Similar to a capital from Saqqara, Egypt, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA, accession number: 10.175.52, Rogers Fund, 1910.47.4 kg, 39cm (15 1/4"). Property of a Norfolk, UK, collector; formerly in French family collection, by descent from the owner's grandfather who acquired it in the 1920s. A Coptic monastery was founded at Saqqara in the early 6th century, near the ancient Egyptian necropolis of the city of Memphis, near the oldest pyramids. As the monastery grew, several grand churches with lavish decoration were built, as well as many chapels, public buildings, and complexes. Sculptural elements from Saqqara are often carved with deeply undercut patterns to intensify the play of light and shadow and to mask the solidity of the architecture. This sculptural style was popular throughout the Byzantine world in the 500s.