COMPOSITE

ORDER  , in architecture, a compound of the Ionic and Corinthian orders (see ORDER), the chief characteristic of which is found in the capital (q.v.), where a double row of acanthus leaves, similar to those carved round the Corinthian capital, has been added under the Ionic volutes . The richer decoration of the Tonic capital had already been employed in those of the Erechtheum, where the necking was carved with the palmette or honeysuckle . Similar decorated Ionic capitals were found in the forum of Trajan . The earliest example of the Composite capital is found in the arch of Titus at Rome . The entablature was borrowed from that of the Corinthian order .