ClipArt ETC

The Capitals ClipArt gallery includes 169 illustrations of the top component of a column.

"In architecture the slab or plinth which forms the upper member of the capital of a column or pillar, and upon which rests, in classic styles, the lower surface of the achitrave."—Wright, 1902

Abacus

"In architecture the slab or plinth which forms the upper member of the capital of a column or pillar,…

"The upper plate of a column, beneath the architrave." — Williams, 1889

Abacus

"The upper plate of a column, beneath the architrave." — Williams, 1889

"In Greek Architecture, a capital on the corner column of a portico."-Whitney, 1902

Angle-Capital

"In Greek Architecture, a capital on the corner column of a portico."-Whitney, 1902

Anta-cap from the Erechtheion, Athens.

Anta-Cap

Anta-cap from the Erechtheion, Athens.

Antics are fancies having no foundation in nature, as sphinx, centaurs, etc., different flowers growing on one stem. Grotesque ornaments of all kinds.

Antic

Antics are fancies having no foundation in nature, as sphinx, centaurs, etc., different flowers growing…

Antics are fancies having no foundation in nature, as sphinx, centaurs, etc., different flowers growing on one stem. Grotesque ornaments of all kinds.

Antic

Antics are fancies having no foundation in nature, as sphinx, centaurs, etc., different flowers growing…

"The top of a column or pillar." — Williams, 1889

Capital

"The top of a column or pillar." — Williams, 1889

Greek Corinthian volutes.

Capital

Greek Corinthian volutes.

Capital from Eleusis.

Capital

Capital from Eleusis.

Corinthian capital from the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, restored.

Capital

Corinthian capital from the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, restored.

Early French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle.

Capital

Early French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle.

Fourteenth century French Gothic capital from the transept of Notre Dame, Paris.

Capital

Fourteenth century French Gothic capital from the transept of Notre Dame, Paris.

French Gothic capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

Capital

French Gothic capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

French Gothic capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

Capital

French Gothic capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

French Gothic capital with corner leaf from Notre Dame, Paris.

Capital

French Gothic capital with corner leaf from Notre Dame, Paris.

French Rayonnant capital.

Capital

French Rayonnant capital.

Capital from Salisbury Cathedral, England.

Capital

Capital from Salisbury Cathedral, England.

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral

Capital

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral

Decorated capital from Beverley Cathedral

Capital

Decorated capital from Beverley Cathedral

Early English capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Capital

Early English capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Decorated English capital from Beverley Cathedral.

Capital

Decorated English capital from Beverley Cathedral.

Decorated English capital from Beverley Cathedral.

Capital

Decorated English capital from Beverley Cathedral.

Corinthianesque cap from St. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna.

Capital

Corinthianesque cap from St. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna.

An illustrational of a decorative capital.

Capital

An illustrational of a decorative capital.

An illustration of a decorative capital.

Capital

An illustration of a decorative capital.

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Capital

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Capital from St. Peter's, Northampton.

Capital

Capital from St. Peter's, Northampton.

Capital from Gernnrode.

Capital

Capital from Gernnrode.

Capital from Wurttemberg.

Capital

Capital from Wurttemberg.

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital

Capital from Tarragona.

Voluted capitals from Haramston Church, Lines.

Capital

Voluted capitals from Haramston Church, Lines.

Scalloped-type capitals from New Shoreham Church.

Capital

Scalloped-type capitals from New Shoreham Church.

Capital from Canterbury Cathedral.

Capital

Capital from Canterbury Cathedral.

Anglo-Norman cushion capital.

Capital

Anglo-Norman cushion capital.

Twelfth century capital from the Cathedral at Naumburg.

Capital

Twelfth century capital from the Cathedral at Naumburg.

Twelfth century capital from Gelnhausen.

Capital

Twelfth century capital from Gelnhausen.

Unidentified German capital.

Capital

Unidentified German capital.

French Romanesque capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

Capital

French Romanesque capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

The columns in the ruins of Persepolis are circular and slender, and have capitals and bases. The capital generally consists of two half-horses or bulls, whose fore feet overlap the border of the shaft, and which are placed back to back.

Capital and Entablature from the Rock Tomb of Darius

The columns in the ruins of Persepolis are circular and slender, and have capitals and bases. The capital…

"In their private dwellings the Egyptians sometimes used graceful columns and the true arch (both of which forms the Greeks may have learned from them); but for their more important buildings they preferred massive walls and rows of huge, close-set columns, supporting roofs of immense flat slabs of rock." - West, 1904

A Capital from Karnak

"In their private dwellings the Egyptians sometimes used graceful columns and the true arch (both of…

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings; the base, on the other hand, is the same as in the columns, and is continued round the walls as a plinth.

Ionic Antæ Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings;…

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings; the base, on the other hand, is the same as in the columns, and is continued round the walls as a plinth.

Plan of Ionic Antæ Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings;…

In some temples the pillars have, in lieu of capital, the face of a goddess, probably of Isis, with a drooping sacerdotal hood, and supporting a temple on the head. This face is repeated on four sides of the circular shaft.

Capital in the Temple at Denderah

In some temples the pillars have, in lieu of capital, the face of a goddess, probably of Isis, with…

The capitals of the columns display an immense variety. The most beautiful have a crater-like form, and appear like the projecting bell of a flower, with leaves standing out from the surface (here). In other instances the pillars are imitations of a palm tree, and have a smooth slender shaft, a neck-moulding of several rings, and then, without any intermediate architectural division, a capital formed of the graceful leaves of the palm.

Capital in the Temple at Edfu

The capitals of the columns display an immense variety. The most beautiful have a crater-like form,…

The capitals of the columns display an immense variety. The most beautiful have a crater-like form, and appear like the projecting bell of a flower, with leaves standing out from the surface. In other instances the pillars are imitations of a palm tree, and have a smooth slender shaft, a neck-moulding of several rings, and then, without any intermediate architectural division, a capital formed of the graceful leaves of the palm (here).

Capital in the Temple at Edfu

The capitals of the columns display an immense variety. The most beautiful have a crater-like form,…

Figures a and b show the bell-shaped (campaniform) capital. Figure c is a palmiform capital.

Capital Types

Figures a and b show the bell-shaped (campaniform) capital. Figure c is a palmiform capital.

A capital with palm decoration.

Capital with Palm

A capital with palm decoration.

A bell capital with papyrus decoration.

Bell Capital with Papyrus

A bell capital with papyrus decoration.

The Ancient Persian capital is a design of the fore-parts of bulls. It is an Old Persian style that is categorized under abnormal capitals.

Ancient Persian Capital

The Ancient Persian capital is a design of the fore-parts of bulls. It is an Old Persian style that…

The antique Corinthian capital is a found in Melos, Greece. It is a design of a two rows of leaves that clothe the lower cylindrical part of the capital.

Antique Corinthian Capital

The antique Corinthian capital is a found in Melos, Greece. It is a design of a two rows of leaves that…

"Basket capital. Fro mthe Cathedral of Gurk." —D'Anvers, 1895

Basket Capital

"Basket capital. Fro mthe Cathedral of Gurk." —D'Anvers, 1895

The byzantine capital is found in the St. Sophia in Turkey. This design is called a Trapeziform, a byzantine design that has a cylindrical shaft continued to the square abacus.

Byzantine Capital

The byzantine capital is found in the St. Sophia in Turkey. This design is called a Trapeziform, a byzantine…

"Byzantine Capital. The leading forms of the Byzantine style are the round arch, the circle, and in particular the dome." -Vaughan, 1906

Byzantine Capital

"Byzantine Capital. The leading forms of the Byzantine style are the round arch, the circle, and in…

Capital of a Corinthian column.

Corinthian Capital

Capital of a Corinthian column.

An illustration of a Corithian capital from the Tholos of Epidaurus. In several traditions of architecture including Classical architecture, the capital (from the Latin caput, 'head') forms the crowning member of a column or a pilaster. The capital projects on each side as it rises, in order to support the abacus and unite the form of the latter (normally square) with the circular shaft of the column.

Corinthian Capital

An illustration of a Corithian capital from the Tholos of Epidaurus. In several traditions of architecture…

The structural tendency which prevails in the capitals of all orders to change from the circular form of the shaft into the square is modified in the Ionic by the voluted nature of the capital, and in the Corinthian by representations of vegetable life.

Corinthian Capital

The structural tendency which prevails in the capitals of all orders to change from the circular form…

A capital of such form as to appear like a cushion pressed upon by the weight of the entablature.

Cushion Capital

A capital of such form as to appear like a cushion pressed upon by the weight of the entablature.

The Doric capital is an Italian Renaissance design consisting of the abacus, which is square and the echinos, which is circular.

Doric Capital

The Doric capital is an Italian Renaissance design consisting of the abacus, which is square and the…

Capital of a Doric column.

Doric Capital

Capital of a Doric column.