Term for the Day: Corinthian Columns

Corinthian Columns at
the former home of Dr. Biamenti,
now The Cornstalk Hotel

Today, Julian noted the Corinthian columns at Dr. Biamenti’s New Orleans home. The term “Corinthian” column refers specifically to one of the three classical orders of architecture. The three orders are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The most ornate of the three, Corinthian columns usually have fluted shafts beneath heavily carved capitals. The capitals take the form of an inverted bell, decorated with acanthus leaves, volutes and other ornamentation. Corinthian columns have been employed in architecture, both as support and as decoration, since 2 A.D. Mainly used originally in early Roman architecture, Corinthian columns continue to be employed as stately supports for the most prestigious buildings in the world.