Designed in France in the early 20th Century, this green onyx and ormolu pedestal takes the form of a classical column.
The onyx plinth foundation of the piece is rectangular in shape, with cantered corners. This supports the column above, which has an ormolu base, consisting of torus with egg and dart detailing, with a simple fillet and conge above. The base is buttressed by four scrolling brackets, decorated with acanthus leaves. The shaft of the column is formed of smooth, red-veined green onyx stone, and is topped by an ormolu capital. This is refined in its design, with a simple astragal and necking, and a stylised egg and dart echinus above. On the echinus, the dart motif is replaced by acanthus leaves. The capital supports a square onyx abacus, which supports a rotatable pedestal top. The piece is clever in the way it plays with the classical forms and rules for design.