An obelisk is a tall, slender pillar of square cross-section that tapers towards the top and finishes in a small pyramid, the pyramidion. The form comes from ancient Egypt, where obelisks stood in pairs before temple entrances, and has been reused throughout Western architecture ever since.
Characteristics
- Four-sided — a square section, not round like a column
- Tapering — the sides run straight but lean slightly inward as they rise
- Pyramidion — the pyramidal cap, sometimes gilded on Egyptian examples
- Monolithic or built up — the ancient Egyptian obelisks were cut from a single granite block; later ones are usually built from courses
- No capital — an obelisk normally stands directly on a plinth
Uses
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Religious monument | Egyptian temple obelisks, dedicated to the sun god |
| Urban landmark | Obelisks on squares and closing a vista |
| Grave marker | A common nineteenth-century monument form |
| Memorial | Commemorating people or events |
| Garden architecture | An accent closing an avenue or a formal garden |
Several ancient Egyptian obelisks were moved to European cities over the centuries, where they serve as landmarks on public squares.
In the garden
An obelisk works in a garden as the end point of a sight line. Practical points when setting one:
- Foundation — a stone obelisk is top-heavy; cast a concrete base that reaches safely below the local frost line (in north-western Europe typically 60-80 cm)
- Proportion — a classical proportion is a height of roughly nine to ten times the width at the foot; slimmer looks more elegant but is more sensitive to wind
- Material — natural stone and concrete last; timber or steel “garden obelisks” (plant supports) only borrow the shape
- Sight line — place it so that it sits exactly on axis when seen from the house or terrace
Related terms
- Column
- Pyramid
- Plinth
- Natural stone
- Monument
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