Capital

The statue of Nelson stands upon a massive bronze capital of the Corinthian order.
 
The Corinthian order, with its swirling acanthus leaf inspired ornament, was an Athenian invention of the 5th century BC. The original design for the Corinthian capital is attributed to the sculptor Callimachus. Vitruvius says he was inspired by the sight of a basket of toys placed on the grave of a Corinthian girl and around which wild acanthus had grown.
 
Contemporary photograph by Jeremy Young