sculptus

Sculptus is a Latin adjective meaning carved, sculpted, or possessing a carved surface. It derives from the verb sculpo, with the past participle sculptus used to describe objects that have been shaped by cutting, chiseling, or relief work. In classical and medieval Latin, sculptus is employed to characterize works of sculpture, architectural ornament, or other carved decorations.

In art history and archaeology, sculptus appears in descriptions of sculpture, relief panels, and engraved ornaments. Catalog entries and museum labels may use the term to distinguish carved forms from those created by casting, modelling, or painting. The descriptor helps convey the technique or appearance of an object without specifying a particular style or period.

In scholarly practice, sculptus is typically encountered in Latin-language descriptions or translations of primary sources. It functions as a descriptive modifier rather than as a formal category or taxon. When used in modern texts, it often appears alongside terms such as statua, relief, or ornament to specify that the feature is carved rather than assembled or applied.

Overall, sculptus serves as a concise, technical descriptor in historical, archaeological, and epigraphic contexts, signaling a carved or carved-like surface as a defining characteristic of an object. See also sculpture, relief, bas-relief, carving, Latin terms in art.