Indian Three Section Carved Poli-Chrome Archway: Fluted Carved Capitols & Bases

The arch curls up like a wave, trimmed with carved blossoms and red-tipped spikes.

This three section carved polychrome archway, with fluted carved capitals and bases, is from Gujarat, India, 19th century, in carved wood and stone. Carved and painted architecture is one of the great traditions of Gujarat, where merchants' houses and temples were richly worked. Slender fluted columns in green rise from stepped bases in green and ochre, topped with leafy capitals. Scalloped arches spring between them, lined with buds. Red shows through the paint on the shafts.

Bring it indoors and the room becomes a courtyard.