TYPES & VARIATIONS OF ENTABLATURE IN CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE: DORIC, IONIC, & CORINTHIAN
- Yash
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The entablature provides one of the clearest ways to distinguish among the three primary classical orders—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—since each adapts the architrave, frieze, and cornice in ways that reflect the unique order’s character. The Doric column may be simpler than the other orders, but its entablature is quite complex. Its architrave is generally stepped but mostly plain, without added moldings, emphasizing functionality over decoration. Above that however sits the Doric frieze, which is occupied by a sequence of rectangular triglyphs, marked by their vertical grooves, and square metopes, panels that either remain plain or feature carved ornament. The cornice projects outward in a straightforward form and often includes mutules above each triglyph featuring rows of small circular guttae, emphasizing compositional rhythm. Columns always occur directly beneath a mutule and triglyph. Mutules are flat, rectangular blocks that project downward from the underside of the cornice. Guttae are small, cone-shaped or droplet-like projections arranged in rows on the lower surface of the mutules. A row of guttae also occurs beneath each triglyph. This unusually complex decorative program is a sort of memorial to methods of wood construction. The triglyphs are relics of beam ends, the guttae are used where nails would have been. Now carved in stone, these elements recall the way temples were built with simpler technology by early Mediterranean peoples. With proportions that make the entablature roughly one-fifth the height of the column, or one-fourth in some Greek examples, the Doric order projects a sturdy, balanced character ideally suited to major Greek temples such as the Parthenon.
IONIC ENTABLATURE - CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
The Ionic entablature offers a visually lighter, more elegant alternative to the Doric, reflecting the refinement of the order as a whole. Its architrave is divided into three bands, or fasciae, each projecting slightly further than the one below, creating a layered, delicate appearance. Instead of the alternating panels of the Doric, the Ionic frieze is continuous, providing space for sculptors to carve detailed scenes that could run uninterrupted across the face of the building. The cornice typically features dentils within its bedmould—small, repeating rectangular blocks—that establish both a fine rhythm and visual interest. With its balance of ornament and restraint, the Ionic entablature conveys refinement and sophistication, making it popular for smaller temples, civic buildings, and spaces meant to highlight beauty and narrative sculpture. A famous historical building featuring the Ionic order is the Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens, built around 420 to 405 BCE.
CORINTHIAN ENTABLATURE - CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
The Corinthian entablature, the most ornate of the three, reflects the elaborate spirit of its order. Structurally, it resembles the Ionic in having a multi-layered architrave but often adds carved moldings and additional ornament that enhance richness even at the lowest level. Its frieze is continuous and can be filled with similar carved decoration, such as plant motifs, scrollwork, or detailed human and mythological figures, turning it into a centerpiece of artistry. The cornice reaches its most complex form in this order: multiple projecting layers adorned with dentils, modillions, and intricate carvings that create dramatic play between light and shadow. Favored in Roman architecture for temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches, the Corinthian entablature conveys splendor, power, and wealth, representing the pinnacle of decorative classicism. The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens featured the Corinthian order. It was constructed over centuries and completed under Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.
