Glossary of Medieval Architecture

impost block or abacus: The slab at the top of a capital between the capital and the architectural member above.

See also column, pier
Other parts of a column or pier: capital, shaft, base

Click here for pronounciation.


Capital at Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire
Image adapted from Dehio and von Bezold, Die Kirchliche Baukunst des Abendlands.


Go to Main
Glossary Page


All images and html code in this project are © Jane Vadnal. Any use of them without her express written consent is prohibited. Email: medart@unixs.cis.pitt.edu.
Created by Jane Vadnal 05/97