Ancient large carved cedar pillar column from Pakistan, India.

Ancient large carved cedar pillar column, volute capital, Pakistan, India, late 19th-century architecture - An important wooden support column, forming a true pillar of traditional house topped with its wide volute capital beam. This type of element was used to support the floor or gallery of a house or temple, the whole representing a stylised tree, from the base to the upper branches. Richly carved on all sides with scrolls, foliage, and stylised floral patterns. Beautiful depth of relief. The capital, of large span, is adorned with a carved frieze on the front and sides, while the back, which remains smooth, was against the structure of the house. The upper part is supported by a series of curling volutes, giving the whole a very sculptural silhouette. The wood, presumably cedar, has a beautiful ancient patina, honey to gold, enhanced by tool marks. Structural cracks, old and open, run through the column and the capital; they should be considered inherent to the material and the age of the piece. Very good overall condition for an architectural element of this size and era. This column is suitable for both architectural reuse (supporting a mezzanine, framing a passage, interior façade) and purely decorative presentation, fixed against a wall as a large wooden sculpture. Likely Pakistani work, from the Swat Valley / Kohistan region, late 19th to early 20th century. Comes from a famous hotel, Palace des Alpes Francaises. Dimensions provided: • Width of the capital: 220 cm. • Total height: 257 cm. • Height of the column alone: 227 cm. • Base on the ground: 24 × 24 cm. • Depth: 22 cm.