Drawing an Ionic Volute_

Stonemasonry technical skills

atSkillsTech Australia

Adapted from Spooner H.J. : 'Geometrical Drawing' pp167-169

Method•Draw a rectangle (ratio height : width = 7 : 6) representing an elevation of the stone block from which the volute is to be carved.

•Draw two other rectangles inside the first one, each positioned vertically so that the ratio 7:6:5 is formed. An even transition between each turn positions the rectangles horizontally. The inner rectangles are respectively half-size and quarter-size relative to the first rectangle

•Draw 450 lines from the corners of each rectangle to find squares within the rectangles.

•Starting from the outside, draw quadrants from one corner of each square to form a continuous spiral of three complete turns.

•Draw the volute eye – the Cathetus – by continuing the last quadrant into a full circle

Ionic volute construction

Step 1: Consider the proportions necessary to construct the volute:

• All three rectangles’ height : width ratio is 7 : 6• The inner rectangles are positioned vertically so

that the ratio 7:6:5 is formed• The inner rectangles are positioned horizontally

so that there is an even transition between turns

• The first inner rectangle is half the size of the original rectangle

• The second inner rectangle is half the size of the first inner rectangle

Proportions of rectanglesRatio x Unit = Length of side

7 30mm 210mm

6 30mm 180mm

5 30mm 150mm

(150+105)mm/2 = 127.5mm

7 15mm 105mm

6 15mm 90mm

5 15mm 75mm

(75+52.5)mm/2 = 63.75mm

7 7.5mm 52.5mm

6 7.5mm 45mm

5 7.5mm 37.5mm

Step 2: Draw a rectangle 210mm high and 180mm wide

Step 3: Draw a horizontal line at 150mm height

Step 4: Draw the second rectangle

Step 5: Draw a horizontal line at 75mm height

Step 6: Draw the third rectangle

Step 7: Draw a horizontal line at 37.5mm height

Step 8: Draw 450 lines from corners to form a square

Step 9: Find centre of each side of the square and project vertical and horizontal lines

Step 10: The squares tell where the quadrants will go

Step 11: Draw quadrants to form the first turn of the spiral

Step 12: Clean up construction lines

Step 13: Locate the second rectangle

Step 14: Draw 450 lines from the corners

Step 15: Find centre of each side of the square and project vertical and horizontal lines

Step 16: The squares tell where the quadrants will go

Step 17: Draw quadrants to form the second turn of the spiral

Step 18: Clean up construction lines

Step 19: Locate the third rectangle

Step 20: Draw 450 lines from the corners

Step 21: Find centre of each side of the square and project vertical and horizontal lines

Step 22: The squares tell where the quadrants will go

Step 23: Draw quadrants to form the third turn of the spiral

Step 24: Continue the final quadrant to form the Cathetus (volute ‘eye’)

Step 25: Clean up all construction lines and outline the spiral