Chinese Round Double Lotus Base

Pale drum of a stand, stacked with lotus petals and curling vines.

This round marble base carved with a double lotus is from China. Marble is a metamorphic stone that carves and polishes readily, and it has long been used in Chinese architecture and sculpture for plinths, balustrades and temple furnishings. Short, round pedestal narrows at the middle between two tiers of rounded petal forms. A band of scrolling foliage runs around the top and a wave-like scroll circles the base. The surface is creamy white and softly weathered. It is 6 inches high and 7.75 in diameter.

Built to hold something up, and elegant about it.