Indian Stone Pilaster

Grooved, tapered and tinted with traces of copper green.

This pilaster was carved from stone in India in the 19th century. Architectural stone pieces like this were commonly set into doorways and walls to frame openings. The shaft is square, rising from a swollen base to a heavy capital with a flat top, with ridged moldings near the bottom. The stone is a warm tan, flecked with pink and with patches of green that suggest old pigment or mineral deposits. Small chips mark the edges and the surface has a soft, powdery finish.

About 60 inches tall, 14 inches wide. Stand it in a hallway and it becomes a sentry.