Chapter XVI. Of the Ionick Order

THE Ionick order had its origin from Ionia, a province in Asia, of which it is said that the temple of Diana at Ephej'us was built. ‘The columns, with the capital and base, are nine modules high. By a module is understood the lower diameter of the column.

The architrave, frize, and cornice are a fifth part of the altitude of the column. In the designs of simple colonnades, the intercolumniations are of two diameters and a quarter, which is the most beautiful and commodious manner of intercolumniations, and by Vitruvius called Eustilo's. In the design of arches the pilasters are a third part of the void, and the arches are two squares high.

It a pedestal is to be put to Ionic columns, as in the design of arches, it must be made as high as half the width of the arch, and divided into seven parts anda half; two of which are for the base, one for the cimacia, and the remaining four and a half for the dado, that is, the middle plain.

The base of the Ionick order must be half a module in thickness, and divided into three parts; one to be given to the plinth, whose projecture is the fourth and eighth part of the module; the other two are divided into seven parts, three of which are for the bastone or torus; the other four are again divided into two, of one is made the upper cavetto, and with the other the lower, which must project more than the other.

THE astragal must be the eighth part of the cavetto. The cimbia of the column is the third part of the bastone or torus of the base. But if the base is joined with part of the column, then the cimbia must be made thinner, as I have said in the Dorick order, These are the dimensions of the Ionick base, according to Vitruvius.

But as in many antient buildings Attick bases are seen placed under the columns of this order, and they please me better so, I have drawn the said base upon the pedestal, with a little torus under the cimbia; but at the same time I have not omitted the design of that order’d by Vitruvius.

The designs marked L are two different profiles, to make the imposts of arches, the dimensions of each of which are marked in numbers, shewing the minutes of the module, as it has been observed in all the other designs. These imposts are half as high again as the pilaster is thick, which supports the arch.

A, Shaft of the column. V, Orlo joined to the Cimacia of the pedestal, B, Tondino or Astragal, with the Cimbia, G, the Cimacia in two different forms i

and are members of the column. H, Dado J the C, upper Bastone or Torus. 1, Base in two different forms § pedestal.

D, Cavetto. K, Orlo or Plinth of the Base.

E, lower Bastone or Torus. L, Imposts of the arches.

To form the capital, the foot of the column must be divided into eighteen parts, and nineteen of these parts is the height and width of the abaco, half thereof is the height of the capital with the volute, which is therefore nine parts and a half high; one part and half must be given to the abaco with its cimacio, the other eight remain for the volute, which is thus made.

On of the nineteen parts is to be allowed from the extremity to the inside of the cimacio, and from that place where the point was made, a line must fall perpendicular, which divides the voluta in the middle, called catheta. And where the point is upon the line which sea~ rates the superior four parts and a half from the inferior three and a half, the centre of the eye of the voluta must be made, whose diameter is one of the eight parts. And from the said point a line must be drawn, which intersecting with the catheta at rectangles, divides the voluta into four parts.

Ten a square ought to be formed in the eye of the voluta, half the diameter of the said eye in bigness, and diagonal lines drawn. Upon which lines the points are marked whereon the fixed foot of the compares must be placed in forming the voluta, Theft are thirteen in number, including the centre of the eye of the said voluta. The order that ought to be observed in them will plainly appear by the numbers placed in the design,

‘The astragal of the column is in a direct line with the eye of the voluta, The thickness of the voluta in the middle must be equal to the projecture of the ovolo, which projects beyond the abaco just as much as the eye of the voluta is. The channel of the voluta is even with the shaft of the column.

The astragal of the column goes quite round under the voluta, and is always fen, as appears by the plan: For it is natural, that a thing so tender as the voluta is supposed to be PI Oy the p g 1s th PP; should give way to a hard one, such as the astragal, from which it must always be equally distant.

Capitals are generally made in the angles of colonnades and portico’s of this order, with volute not only in front, but also in that part which, if the capital was made as usual, would be the flank; by which means they have the fronts on two sides, and are called angular capitals. shall shew how these are made in my book of temples.

B, Channel or hollow of the Voluta. I, Shaft of the column.

C, Ovolo. G, The line called Catheta. In the plan of the capital the said members are countermarked with the same letters.

Members of the base, according to Vitruvius.

K, Shaft of the column. O, Tondini or Astragals.

L, Cimbia. DP, Second Cavetto.

M, Bastone or Torus. Q, Orlo or Plinth.

N, First Cavetto. R, Projecture of the base.

The architrave, frize and cornice are, as T have said, a fifth part of the height of the column, the whole to be divided into twelve parts, of which the architrave is four parts, the frize three, and the cornice five,

The architrave is to be divided into five parts; of one its cimacio is made, and the meaning four divided into twelve parts, three of which are given to the first sasa and its astragal; four to the second and its astragal, and five to the third.

The cornice is to be divided into seven parts and three fourths; two must be given to the cavetto and ovolo, two to the modiglion, and three and three fourths to the corona and gola or cima. Its projecture is equal to its height. fi have designed the front, flank, and plan of pro) q t 2! telighed > > p the capital; as also the architrave, frize, and cornice, with their proper ornaments.

B, Gola, or Cima reversa. H, Fregio or frize.

C, Gocciolatoio or Corona. 1, Cimacio of the architrave. D, Cimacio of the Modiglions. K, First Fafiia. E, Modiglions. L, Second Fast. F, Owvol. M, Third Fascia.

MEMBERS of the capital.

N, Abaco. Q Tondino of the column or Astragal.

O, Hollow of the Voluta. R,™ Shaft of the column. Tue soffit of the cornice is where the roses are between one modiglion and the other.