143 - Capital adapted for mortar; 14th century.

Capital adapted for mortar; 14th century. Marble. Measurements: 16 x 19 x 19 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. A marble capital reused and adapted as a mortar, which retains its original structure and rich relief carving. The body features stylized plant motifs arranged in symmetrical compositions that enhance the piece’s volume and reflect the ornamental tradition of medieval architectural sculpture. The reuse of this architectural element as a functional object highlights the adaptation of marble pieces to new uses, combining their ornamental value with their practical nature.