Layout of the Corinthian Base
The Corinthian Base
The Corinthian base shown is a more elaborate version of the Ionic Attic Base. It differs by having two scotias separated by two small beads whereas the Attic Base has a single scotia. Vignola¡s Ionic base, which is not illustrated, resembles his Corinthian base except it omits the lower torus.
The base is ½ D high by slightly more than 8/6 D wide. To draw the more detailed elements of the base, in particular the small beads and fillets, divide the base into 18 parts. Each part or P is 1/36D. The plinth which is one third the height of the base projects beyond the face of the column by 7 P. A large torus with a diameter of 4 P is tangent to the face of the plinth. Sitting above the torus is a delicate fillet and scotia.
Two beads and another scotia of the same height follow along with the small fillets which help define each molding. Note how the beads and upper scotia are set back from the lower scotia. An upper torus with a 3 P diameter is situated above the upper scotia. The fillet and conge above the last torus are part of the shaft.
Text: Martin Brandwein
Rendering: M. Gunnison Collins