The Fluted Shaft.

The Base.
197
The Fluted Shaft. (Plate
122.)
Columns, Piers, Candelabra, and similar Supports frequently have
channellings or flutings. The object of these is to give animation to
the smooth shaft, and to emphasize the expression of the principle of
weight-bearing. This latter is specially true of the channellings.
In the Doric style the Flutings are shallowwithout any interval, only
divided from each other by a sharp edge, (figs. 1 and
2). The Ionic
and Corinthian shafts, have deeper flutings (figs, 3 and
4),
separated
from each other by fillets formed of the untouched surface of the
shaft. The channellings terminate upwards like small niches, with
semicircular or elliptical heads, (fig.
5). Leaf-like terminations, like
that on fig. 13 are rarer. The termination downwards is similar to
those shown on figs.
6
8.
The number of channellings on a shaft varies from 18 to 24.
On smaller constructions, such as Purnitm-e, Balausters,
&c., the
number is reduced; but seldom less than 8. The Channellings taper
proportionately with the shaft. Pilasters are also channelled to match
the Columns. In strict Architecture, rich and composite channellings
and flutings are rather injurious than otherwise (figs. 7

11);
but
on Candelabra, and Mouldings they often produce a good efi'ect. When
applied to the Torus and the Cavetto: the former (convex) should
be decorated by Nurls; and the latter (concave) shoiild have Flutes.
Plate 122. The Fluted Shaft.
1

2. Sections of Doric Fluting.

3

4. Sections of Ionic and Corinthian Fluting.

5

6. Construction of the terminations of Fluting on cylindrical

shafts.
7
11. Composite Fluting, with sections, and terminations.
12. Part of an Antique Candelabrum, with tapered Fluting.
13. Termination of the Fluting, monument of Lysikrates, Athens.
(The construction is clearly indicated on the drawings.)
The Base. (Plate 123124.)
It is unquestionably more beautiful when something in the
shape of a Base is interposed between the shaft of a column and
the substructure on which it rests, than when, as in the Doric style,
the column rises without any such base. Bases suggested by the
radical leaves of plants, are common in Oriental styles. Plate 124,
fig. 1 gives an Egyptian example of this kind. Decorations of this
sort are, however, oftener applied to the lower end of the shaft than