Image: Wikimedia Commons

pilaster

Decorative architectural element giving the appearance of a supporting column

EntityQ175112

Subclass of: decoration
, Q136462771

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

In architecture, a pilaster is both a load-bearing section of thickened wall or column integrated into a wall, and a purely decorative element in classical architecture which gives the appearance of a supporting column and articulates an extent of wall. As an ornament it consists of a flat surface raised from the main wall surface, usually treated as though it were a column, with a capital at the top, plinth (base) at the bottom, and the various other column elements. In contrast to a Classical pilaster, an engaged column or buttress can support the structure of a wall and roof above.

Overview

All data

31 statements · 13% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Members / parts: capital
base

On other databases

28 identifiers linking pilaster across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

13%

externally sourced

Source last edited July 24, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). pilaster (Q175112). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/pilaster-Q175112