Sardis Column Correspondence Cards from The Met Museum

This correspondence card design is adapted from the capital of a massive marble Ionic column. The capital, base, and portions of the shaft in The Met collection come from a monumental temple constructed at Sardis (in today’s Turkey) and dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and the moon. Shortened from its original height of 56 feet, The Met’s column lets the viewer see the fine carving of the foliate ornaments on the capital, which is unique among other surviving capitals from the temple.