Design and Tradition: A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied artsFenn, Amor
History
Design and Tradition: A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied arts
Fenn, Amor
Architecture; Art; Decoration and ornament; Decoration and ornament -- History
From this as centre and one part as radius describe a circle. Within
this circle draw a square, having for a diagonal the diameter of the
circle. Bisect the sides of the square and draw the diameters by joining
the points of bi-section. Divide these diameters of the square into six
and these points will be the centres for the segments of circles which
form the volute. Vertical and horizontal lines drawn from the centres
will define the extent of each segment.
[Illustration: No. 161. Ionic Capital, with angular volutes.]
For small scale drawings the volutes are drawn free-hand, but for larger
working drawings it is necessary to use some method such as that given
here.
The angle formed by the meeting of the ovolo and the volute is masked by
a detail of anthemion form.
The ends of the bolster between the volutes consist of concave or ogee
curves, which are symmetrically arranged from a centre line; moulded
ridges or conventional leaf detail decorate the centre.
The form of the Ionic capital, while suitable for a façade, requires
some modification if it is to be carried round the side of a building,
owing to the great dissimilarity in the front and side views. In this
case the end volute of the capital at the angle of the building is
projected forward at an angle of 45 degrees, and the side is then
treated in the same way as the front.
In late Renaissance buildings this difficulty was overcome by making all
the volutes project at angles of 45 degrees, so that the four faces of
the capital were uniform. This entails the bolster being dispensed with,
and the volutes, no longer connected laterally, spring directly from the
top of the ovolo moulding, and the space between the springing lines is
occupied by a husk.
[Illustration: No. 162. Ionic Capital. Detail of Angular Volute.]
As the volutes make equal angles they conform more or less to a square
plan. The plan of the abacus is composed of four concave curves with
small straight intervals at the meeting angles. The general proportions
for this form of capital are the same as for the bolster type.
_Corinthian Capital_
The Corinthian capital differs widely from those of the preceding orders
in proportion and detail.
Its general form may be described as a bell, which is circular on plan.
It springs from the upper extremity of the shaft, from which it is
separated by a necking moulding.
Under the abacus it terminates in a fillet.
The bell is one diameter high. The height of the abacus is one-sixth of
a diameter in addition; on plan the abacus falls within a square, having
four concave faces with short straight lines at the angles. The distance
across the diagonal is two diameters. The bell is clothed with leaves of
acanthus type, which are arranged in two tiers of eight leaves each.
Between the upper leaves are eight stems with husks and branching
scrolls, which terminate in volutes at the angles and centres.
The necking moulding consists of a small torus and fillet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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