Volume 1

A glossary of terms used in Grecian, Roman, Italian, and Gothic architecture / [Anon].

  • John Henry Parker
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A glossary of terms used in Grecian, Roman, Italian, and Gothic architecture / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/300 page 25
    Base [Lat. Basis, Spire, Fr. Base, Ital. Base, Sp. Basa, Ger. Bafis, Geftell,], the lower part of a pillar, wall, &c.; the division of a column below the shaft, and on which it stands: it is divided into the plinth and mouldings. The Grecian Doric columns have no bases: the Tuscan base is half a diameter in height, and consists of a single plain torus: the proper base of the Roman Doric consists of one torus and an astragal ; but in some instances a plinth and simple fillet is used; in others the attic base, consisting of a plinth, lower torus, scotia, and upper torus, with fillets between them: the bases used in the Ionic order are very various, but the attic base is very often used, and, with an astragal added above the upper torus, forms a beautiful and appropriate base for this order; the base most used for the Corinthian order consists of two tori and two. scotize, divided by two astragals; but the attic base, and several other varieties, also occur: the base of the Composite order differs very little from the Corinthianf. In the Norman style several varieties of bases are used, according as the pillar is square, octagonal, or round: when round, they generally bear a considerable resemblance to the Roman Doric, or Tuscan; the plinth is large and massive, some- times double, resembling two steps with the edge of the lower sloped off; on the angles of the plinth there are frequently ornaments resembling tongues, as at Rochester and Stockburys, sometimes of other forms, as in the crypt of St. Peter’s, Oxford. In the Early English style the bases are frequently near approaches to the Grecian Attic base, as at Paul’s Cray; the reversed ogee 1s also sometimes employed: it is still frequently placed on a square plinth. In the Decorated style the bases mostly consist of the reversed ogee, but other mouldings are often added, and the ogee made in faces: the plinth is no longer square, but follows the form of the pillar, whether round, octagon, or diamond shaped. In the Perpendicular style the bases have generally many mouldings, repetitions of ogees are mostly used, intermixed with hollows or straight slopes: they are usually stilted, that is, placed at some distance from the ground, as at Piddleton, and St. Mary’s, Oxford. See Plate 11. g Plate 12.
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