I SPY
1. The Lantern
The 26-foot tall lantern isn’t there just to hold up the golden eagle. It was originally
designed to act as a sort of natural air conditioner, venting rising hot air from inside
the building out its opened windows. Today, the lantern serves as a sturdy perch for
the eagle. With its wings spread wide, the 5-foot, seven-inch eagle is made of
copper and bronze and covered with a thin layer of real gold.
2. The Dome
Can you imagine Idaho’s Capitol without a dome? Idaho Capitol Architect John E.
Tourtellotte fought hard to keep the dome when others tried to eliminate it during
construction in the early 1900’s. Idaho’s dome has 22 windows or “lunettes”. Each
lunette is framed with heavy moldings that resemble straps. The dome is covered in
white terra-cotta tiles and ribs and is held up from inside the building by eight
massive columns.
3. Anthemion (an-theem-e-on)
What does Idaho have in common with ancient Egypt or Rome? Much of the
exterior design of Idaho’s Capitol is taken from classic Roman architecture. The
Capitol also features decorative ornaments that were carved into the building. One
of the favorite ornaments of the Capitol architects was the anthemion. Resembling a
palm leaf or a honeysuckle flower, the anthemion was first used in ancient Egyptian
architecture and can be found on the corners of the Capitol building.
4. Parapet (pair–a-pet)
Idaho’s Capitol has an attic right above the main entrance of the building. Atop the
attic is a low wall called a parapet. Parapets once served a defensive function (think
castles and arrows) but this one hides the numerous skylights that bring daylight
into the building. Notice the anthemion on the corners?
5. Oculus (awk-u-lus)
Two round windows can be seen on each side of the main entrance into the Capitol.
The window is called an oculus, the Latin word for eye. Two windows are called an
oculi. Since these oculi are above the ceremonial entrance, they were decorated with
a garland of pomegranates, a favorite fruit of the Romans. Up close, the work looks
so detailed that you might reach out and poke the fruit to find it plump and juicy.
6. Pediment (ped-i-ment)
A pediment is a triangular shaped roof that sits on columns above the portico (or
porch). The inside face of the pediment is calleld the tympanum, which can be
highly decorated. Amazingly, Italian craftsman chiseled the carving on the Capitol’s
pediment by hand after it was lifted into place.
7. Capital
It might seem confusing, but there are capitals in Idaho’s Capitol. In classic
architecture, a capital is the decorative feature at the top of a column. Capitals can
be plain or fancy. This capital at the main entrance to the building is called a
Corinthian capital -- the most fancy capital of all. As you can see in the inset photo,
during the original construction the leaves had not yet taken shape. Sculptors
climbed ladders with their hammers and chisels and carved the leaves in place!
I Spy – Idaho’s Capitol For Kids – page 1
8. Frieze (freez)
A frieze sits above a doorway or window. The frieze above the main doorways
leading into Idaho’s Capitol are decorated with bay laurel leaves, which
historically symbolize winning. In Roman times, any honor, celebration or
triumph brought a laurel leaf crown, pendant or pin for the recipient, usually
presented by the emperor himself. From that tradition sprung the saying,
“don’t rest on your laurels.”
9. Rustication (rus-ti-ka-shun)
The sandstone blocks around the base of the Capitol are “rusticated” (roughed
up) to give weight and contrast to the lower part of a structure. This rustication
resembles log construction and pays tribute to Idaho’s earliest settlers who built
and lived in log cabins. Up close you will notice that the stone logs have been
scratched and pitted with stone tools to suggest bark.
10. Entablature
An entablature has three major parts—the architrave, the
frieze and the cornice. More simply, an entablature
contains the parts of the building that a column is holding
up or the stuff between the roof and the column. On
Idaho’s Capitol the entablature is ornamented with carved
scrolls just below the cornice. Each scroll is decorated
with an acanthus leaf, an ancient Mediterranean plant symbolizing long life.
I Spy – Idaho’s Capitol For Kids – page 2