What is the term for a female statue used as a column to support a roof?
The caryatidThis caryatid is one of six elegant female figures who supported the roof of the south porch of the Erechtheion (figures who do the work of columns—carrying a roof—are called caryatids).
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A caryatid (/?k??ri'æt?d/ or /?kæri'æt?d/ KAIR-ee-AT-id or KARR-ee-AT-id; Ancient Greek: ?a???t??, pl. ?a???t?de?) is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar supporting an entablature on her head.
Caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as architectural support in the place of a column or a pillar. Its purpose in architecture is mainly decorative. The most famous Caryatids are the ones of Erechtheion on Acropolis Hill, Athens. Let's find out more about these fascinating “Maidens”!
Greek columns come in three varieties, or orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. All three share the same fluted column, or drum. Where they differ is at the top, what is called the capital of the column.