Capital
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This carving is the capital or head of a squared-off column known as a pilaster. Pilasters were often used as part of ornate interior decoration schemes, usually in pairs flanking an alcove or doorway.
While this capital does not conform to one of the five orders of classical architecture used in ancient Greece and Rome, it does make use of classical motifs. The stylised palm leaf or palmette is combined with foliage, scrolls and graduated moulding to create an outline similar to that of a traditional capital.
While this capital does not conform to one of the five orders of classical architecture used in ancient Greece and Rome, it does make use of classical motifs. The stylised palm leaf or palmette is combined with foliage, scrolls and graduated moulding to create an outline similar to that of a traditional capital.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, carved and gilded |
| Brief description | Column capital, 19th century, English, carved wood, George Jackson & Sons collection |
| Physical description | Carved and gilded wooden column capital with scrolling leaf and scallop decoration |
| Credit line | Given by Clark and Fenn Ltd. |
| Production | The firm from which the V&A acquired this object, George Jackson & Sons Ltd, was based in London until its move to Mitcham, Surrey in 1988. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This carving is the capital or head of a squared-off column known as a pilaster. Pilasters were often used as part of ornate interior decoration schemes, usually in pairs flanking an alcove or doorway. While this capital does not conform to one of the five orders of classical architecture used in ancient Greece and Rome, it does make use of classical motifs. The stylised palm leaf or palmette is combined with foliage, scrolls and graduated moulding to create an outline similar to that of a traditional capital. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.864-1989 |
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| Record created | September 5, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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