A volute is a spiral, scroll-like ornament that forms the basis of the Ionic order, found in the capital of the Ionic column. It was later incorporated into Corinthian order and Composite column capitals. Four are normally to be found on an Ionic capital, eight on Composite capitals and smaller versions (sometimes called helix) on the Corinthian capital.[1]

Examples of Ionic volutes. From Julien David LeRoy, Les ruines plus beaux des monuments de la Grèce, Paris, 1758 (Plate XX)

The word derives from the Latin voluta ("scroll"). It has been suggested that the ornament was inspired by the curve of a ram's horns, or perhaps was derived from the natural spiral found in the ovule of a common species of clover native to Greece. Alternatively, it may simply be of geometrical origin.[2]

The ornament can be seen in Renaissance and Baroque architecture and is a common decoration in furniture design, silverware and ceramics. A method of drawing the complex geometry was devised by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius through the study of classical buildings and structures.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Volute". A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. James Stevens Curl. Oxford University Press, 2006
  2. ^ "Volute". The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology. Timothy Darvill. Oxford University Press, 2002
  3. ^ Smith, David Michael (2017). Pocket Museum - Ancient Greece. Thames & Hudson. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-500-51958-5.
  4. ^ "lyre". www.britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  5. ^ Smith, David Michael (2017). Pocket Museum - Ancient Greece. Thames & Hudson. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-500-51958-5.
  6. ^ Watkin, David (2022). A History of Western Architecture. Laurence King. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-52942-030-2.
  7. ^ Hugh Honour, John Fleming (2009). A World History of Art - Revised Seventh Edition. Laurence King Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-85669-584-8.
  8. ^ "Temple of Apollo at Didyma". brown.edu. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  9. ^ Robertson, Hutton (2022). The History of Art - From Prehistory to Presentday - A Global View. Thames & Hudson. p. 323. ISBN 978-0-500-02236-8.
  10. ^ Hodge 2019, p. 62.
  11. ^ Rebold Benton, Janetta (2022). The History of Western Art. Thames & Hudson. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-500-29665-3.
  12. ^ "Paire de Vases « Fuseau »". amisdulouvre.fr. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ "47 bis avenue Kléber". bercail.com. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  14. ^ Criticos, Mihaela (2009). Art Deco sau Modernismul Bine Temperat - Art Deco or Well-Tempered Modernism (in Romanian and English). SIMETRIA. p. 189. ISBN 978-973-1872-03-2.
  15. ^ Criticos, Mihaela (2009). Art Deco sau Modernismul Bine Temperat - Art Deco or Well-Tempered Modernism (in Romanian and English). SIMETRIA. p. 196. ISBN 978-973-1872-03-2.
  16. ^ Gura, Judith (2017). Postmodern Design Complete. Thames & Hudson. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-500-51914-1.
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