cushion capital

architecture

Also known as: cubical capital, cubiform capital

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

A cushion capital is an architectural element that serves as the crowning member of a column or pier, providing structural support for the entablature or arch above. It is characterized by its shape, which resembles a cushion pressed down by the weight it supports. In Romanesque architecture, a cushion capital is often modeled like a bowl with its upper part cut away on four sides. These capitals can also be described as cubiform, being square on top and rounded at the bottom, acting as a transition between the springing of arches and the columns that support them.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

capital
Cubiform, or cushion, capitals, square on top and rounded at the bottom, served as transitional forms between the angular springing of the arches and the round columns supporting them. Grotesque animals, birds, and other figurative motifs characterize capitals of the Romanesque period. At the beginning of the…
Read More
Cubiform, or cushion, capitals, square on top and rounded at the bottom, served as transitional forms between the angular springing of the arches and the round columns supporting them. Grotesque animals, birds, and other figurative motifs characterize capitals of the Romanesque period. At the beginning of the…
Read More

Western architecture
Ottonian period
…first time the cubical, or cushion, capital that was later to become such a characteristic feature of the Romanesque style.
Read More
…first time the cubical, or cushion, capital that was later to become such a characteristic feature of the Romanesque style.
Read More