The large well-head of Istrian stone in the foreground comes from the
Palazzo Zorzi in Venice, and is a fine example of Venetian stone-carving
in the XV century. The well-head, with its acanthus leaves at the four
corners, reminds one of the Corinthian capital of classical times, and, as
a matter of fact, ancient capitals were sometimes used in later periods
for well-heads. On one side is an angel holding a shield supported by two
lions passant. Doubtless, this shield was originally painted the owner’s
coat of arms.
[Hunting Party with Falcons. Burgundian Tapestry, about 1450]