Anta capital
Right image:Doric anta capital at theAthenian Treasury(circa 500 BCE).
Ananta capitalis the crowning portion of ananta,the front edge of a supporting wall inGreek templearchitecture. The anta is generally crowned by a stone block designed to spread the load from the superstructure (entablature) it supports, called an "anta capital" when it is structural, or sometimes "pilastercapital "if it is only decorative as often during the Roman period.
In order not to protrude unduly from the wall, these anta capitals usually display a rather flat surface, so that the capital has more or less a brick-shaped structure overall. The anta capital can be more or less decorated depending on the artistic order it belongs to, with designs, at least inancient Greek architecture,often quite different from the design of the column capitals it stands next to. This difference disappeared withRoman times,when anta or pilaster capitals have designs very similar to those of the column capitals.[1][2]
Doric anta capital[edit]
TheDoriccapital was designed in the continuity of the wallcornice.It is characterized by a broad neck, a beak molding and anabacus.The decoration is usually very sparse, except for the capitals displaying a transition with theIonic order.[3]
Ionic anta capital[edit]
Right image:A characteristically rectangularIonicanta capital, with extensive bands of floral patterns in prolongation of adjoiningfriezesat theErechtheion(circa 410 BCE).
TheIonicanta capital is very different in that it is very rich in moldings. It remains however essentially brick-shaped. The Ionic anta capitals of theErechtheiontake the shape of very decorated brick-shaped capitals, with designs essentially in the continuity of wall cornices, with some additional horizontalmoldings.
Some temples inIoniatend to have a very different design of anta capital, flat at the fronts but with volutes on the side, giving them the shape ofsofas,hence the name they sometimes take of "sofa capitals".[4]In this case the sides of the capital broaden upward, in a shape reminiscent of a couch or sofa.[5]This capital can also be described as pilaster capitals, which, strictly speaking, are normally decorative rather than structural components.[6]
-
Anta capital,Didyma. -
Anta capital fromMiletus(front view). -
Anta capital at theTemple of Apollo in Didyma,front and profile. 4th century BCE.
InIndia,an anta capital of a quasi-Ionic type was discovered, and dated to the 3rd century BCE. It has a centralflame palmettemotif framed by Ionic volutes and placed between horizontal rows of decorative motifs. It is thought that its creation was due to the influence of the neighboringSeleucid Empire,or a nearby Hellenistic city such asAi-Khanoum.[7]
Corinthian anta capital[edit]
Right image:Corinthiananta capital at theNiha BekaaRoman Temple, 1st century AD.
Corinthian anta capitals tend to be much closer in design to the capitals of the columns, although often with a flattened composition: during the Greek period,Acanthus leavesare crowned by a central motif, such as apalmette,itself bracketed by volutes. This design was widely adopted inIndiaforIndo-Corinthian capitals.
During the Greek period, anta capitals had designs different from those of column capital, but during Roman and later times this difference disappeared and both column and anta capitals has the same types of designs.[1][2]At the same time, decorative pilaster designs multiplied during Roman times, so that many of the Corinthian anta capital designs are actually purely decorative pilaster designs.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^abMeyer, F.S.A handbook of ornament.Рипол Классик. p. 214.ISBN9781171715481.Retrieved2016-11-16.
- ^abThe Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson, p.47 "Anta" entry[1]
- ^Greek Architecture, Marquand, 1909 p.74
- ^Greek Architecture, Marquand, 1909 p.74-76
- ^"Architectural Elements, Emory University".samothrace.emory.edu. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-16.Retrieved2016-11-16.
- ^"The New and Improved Practical Builder: Masonry, bricklaying, plastering" Peter Nicholson, Thomas Kelly, 1837, p.68[2]
- ^"These flat, splaying members with cavetto sides, have a long history in Greek architecture as anta capitals, and the rolls at upper and lower sides are also seen" John Boardman, "The Origins of Indian Stone Architecture", p.19: "An interesting flat capital which, though differing from the classic forms, bears a distinct resemblance to the capitals of the pilasters of the Temple of Apollo Didymaeos at Miletos"[3]
References[edit]
- Roth, Leland M. (1993).Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning(First ed.). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.ISBN0-06-430158-3.
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Antae".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 88.
