Indian Carved Pillar with "Tree of Life" Motif: Cross Top Cantilevered Capitol and Stone Base

Carved brackets reach out from the top, as if the pillar had been asked to help with the ceiling.

This carved pillar with tree of life motif, cross top cantilevered capitol and stone base comes from Gujarat, India, and dates to the mid 19th century. It is carved teak wood. Gujarati havelis are known for richly carved wooden pillars and brackets, with the tree of life a favorite motif across Indian decorative arts. The tall fluted shaft rises to a square block carved with flowers and lattice, then a capital ringed with beads and scrolls. A long bracket projects to one side, dense with foliage. It is 34 inches wide and 100.5 high.

Holding up a roof was, it seems, only the minimum requirement.