Base

In architecture, the lowest member of a pier, column or wall. In the case of detached supports, as piers or columns, the base is commonly expanded, so as to give a visibly sufficient footing to the shaft, and the bases of columns are commonly square in plan. The transition from the square plinth to the round shaft is softened by an intermediate member and by base moldings. In the Doric order, the columns have no separate bases, but stand directly on the pavement. In Gothic architecture, the space between the square plinth and the rounded base of the shaft are often filled out with carved ornaments, called griffes. In med iæval architecture, the practice was introduced of supplying projecting bases for continuous supports, or walls, as well as for detached supports, and these were often of considerable richne and elaboration.