THE CORINTHIAN ORDER—PLATES X AND XI
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The three distinguishing characteristics of the Corinthian Order, Fig. 75, are a tall bell-shaped Capital, a series of small brackets, called Modillions, that support the Cornice instead of Mutules, in addition to the Dentils, and a general richness of detail, which is enhanced by- the use of the Acanthus leaf, Fig. 76, in both Capitals and Modillions.
The Cornice, Fig. 77, which is one Diameter in height, is divided into five equal parts. The two lower and the two upper parts resemble the lower and upper halves of the Ionic Cornice. The middle fifth is occupied by a Modillion Band, which carries the Modillions, or brackets. These, as well as the Modillion band, are crowned by a small Cyma Reversa. They consist of a double scroll, beneath which is an Acanthus leaf. Each Modillion is five-twelfths of a Diameter long; i. e., half the upper Diameter of the Shaft, one-fifth high, and is as wide as a Dentil and two Interdentils ; that is to say, two-ninths of a Diameter. It is about square in the front elevation, and about two squares in the side elevation and in plan. They are set two-thirds of a Diameter on centers, one being over the axis of the corner Column, and one over the outer face of the Double Dentil. The interval between them is four-ninths of a Diameter, or just twice their width. The soffit of the Corona between the Modillions is occupied by a sinkage with moldings, called a Caisson, in the middle of which there is a large Rosette.
As the Modillions are two-thirds of a Diameter on centers, or four-sixths, and the Dentils are one-sixth, on centers, it follows that there are four Dentils to each Modillion; i. e., a Dentil under every Modillion, and three between. As in the Ionic Order and in the Denticulated Doric, the last Dentil, which is the first half of the Double Dentil, is centered over the face of the lower Diameter of the column, Fig. 94.
But these dimensions and proportions vary greatly in different ancient examples and almost as much in modern ones. The Architrave, which is three-quarters of a Diameter high, has three Bands and a large cymatium, which is as wide as the first Band. The two lower Bands occupy the lower half of the Architrave, and the third Band and the cymatium the upper. A small Bead, or a small Cyma Reversa, generally crowns each Band. The Frieze, which is also three-quarters of a Diameter high, may be plain, pulvinated, or sculptured.
