What are these columns?

We have these columns and are baffled as to what they are. We originally thought these were mantle pieces, but are now questioning that. The things that are most puzzling are the decorative holes in the 2 columns. Any ideas of what we have here?

Specifics - There are 4 columns (2 with holes and 2 without). The columns are roughly 6 feet tall. The are not full columns, rather half columns. The front are solid wood (no veneer). They might be painted, however we are not sure.

 

Looking at the pic showing the tag it sure looks like a thin layer of veneer on the outside.

 

The board that has the tag, is a separate piece of wood, not a part of the column. Almost like a header (see pic below). I included a pictures of the tag, in case that helped someone.

Still baffled about the holes in the column. Again, the columns are solid wood, until you get back to the boards they are mounted to.

 

@verybrad

 

Interior decoration going from one room into another or rather separating the two rooms?? Was the house torn down?? Looks like there were lots of little buggers at one time!!! Whoever Wm Hermann was I think he did a nice job making them! If it's not too late tonite, @verybrad will be along to help!!!! @clutteredcloset49 just gave him a 'shoutout' !!!! Looking behind the columns in question, are you in restoration or a renovator?????

 

Looks like engaged quarter sawn oak columns, ca. 1910-20 or so. The holes might simply be decorative.

 

Thanks for the responses!

Glad to see that it is as confusing to some of y'all as it is with us.

@Aquitaine - We own an architectural salvage business down in Georgia. Part of our inventory, we inherited from another business we purchased. With that said, these pieces came from that old business' inventory; therefore, we were not the ones to demo the house where these were found. Otherwise we would could provide some more insight as to where they were located in the house. We don't know if they are just decorative columns used in an entryway, or if they were on a mantle, or they were used for something completely different.

@Ghopper1924 - Thanks for the input. You might be right with the decorative part, but they go all the way through, so it seems like the were used to house something...maybe a gas line, electricity line, door ringer, or something.

Thanks again y'all for the ideas!

 

Thanks for the response. From the look of the escutcheons around the holes in the columns, it looks like they were designed that way from the get-go.

 

These are a puzzle to me as well. If purely decorative, I see no reason to go completely through, nor be lined on the interior. The only thing I can possibly think of is that they contained some kind of lighting fixture at one time.