A richly decorated column from a Hindu temple or a palace in Gujarat, India. The column of medium-weight wood stands on an attached stone base (H: 32 cm). The latter is rectangular and decreases in size towards the top, assuming a conical shape, and is decorated with floral and geometric reliefs. The basis is surmounted by an octagonal, smooth column shaft made of wood (H: 92 cm, DM: 17 cm), with a quadrangular top section densely decorated with carved, angular, interlacing floral and geometric motifs in relief.
With a few raised or three-dimensionally carved peacock figures. A robust and richly ornamented diagonal strut protrudes from the upper section. After an intermediate piece (H: 13 cm), the column itself is surmounted by a capital consisting of two interlocking bars at right angles, carved on the underside. All six parts of the present column are mortised, interlocked, and exactly jointed (and can be disassembled), without a single nail.
The wooden parts of this former temple or palace column were originally painted pale green. The colour now shows signs of abrasion due to age, is partly weathered and has not been restored in a long time. As a result of its old age, this rare column with extraordinarily rich decoration also shows several areas with some pieces broken off. Otherwise in good condition.
17th/18th century; total height: c. 221.5 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.