Illustrated Architecture Dictionary
Illustrated Architecture Dictionary
Composite order
One of the five classical orders. A Roman elaboration of the Corinthian order.
Palladio's Drawings of the Five Classical Orders
Click on drawing for larger sizeSource: Andrea Palladio, The Four Books of Architecture, Dover Books, illus. XXIV
Palladio's Drawing of the Composite Capital
Source: Andrea Palladio, The Four Books of Architecture, Dover Books, illus. XXVIII
Composite capital:
- Acanthus leaves
- Volutes of the Ionic order
- Echinus with egg-and-dart ornamentation between the volutes. This third element is one difference between Corinthian and Composite (also, the Composite's volutes are larger).
Composite capital: composed of the upper part of the Ionic and the lower part of the Corinthian columns
Examples from Buffalo architecture:
- Illustration above: Miller House
- Williams-Pratt House
- Kensington Building, 3060 Bailey Ave.
- Dr. Ernest Wende House
Other examples:
