Chinese Stone Pillar Base

Four centuries of holding things up, and it still looks ready for more.

This pillar base comes from China and dates to the early 17th century, about 400 years ago. It is stone. In traditional Chinese building, wooden columns usually rested on stone bases that kept the timber off the damp ground and spread the load. This one is built in stacked tiers: a round drum at the top, a faceted collar, a narrower hexagonal waist, a second faceted ring and a square plinth at the foot. The surface is rough and pitted, grey with patches of rusty brown in the crevices. It is 9.75 inches wide, 9.75 deep and 17 high.

Every grand hall needs something like this underfoot.