Ionic Architecture

One of the five classical orders of architecture in ancient Greece.

Ionic Architecture that was typified by a fluted column with a molded base and a capital composed of four volutes (a spiral ornament), usually parallel to the architrave (the lower-most member) with a pulvinus (a pad-like structure at the base) connecting a pair on each side of the column and an entablature (the entire portion between the columns and the eves) typically consisting of an architrave of three fascias (a broad, flat, horizontal surface), a richly ornamented frieze decorated in low relief and a cornice (horizontal projection) bracketed out of egg-and-dart (closely set, alternating series of oval and pointed forms) and dentil molding (a series of closely spaced, small, rectangular blocks) with the frieze sometimes omitted.

For an example of Ionic columns see: http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/5219/