This carved wood capital once formed part of a column that would have stood in a grand architectural interior, possibly as one of a pair flanking a door or recess. Such columns might also flank the exterior doors of less grand house, such as London terraced houses. In classical architecture, columns, which consisted of a base, shaft and capital were decorated and proportioned according to a number of accepted modes or orders. This capital is of the Ionic order, characterised by the double scrolls known as volutes. This example is more richly decorated than many Ionic capitals, and incorporates further scrolls and foliate ornament.