Final answer:
The Ionic order is characterized by volutes on capitals and a base supporting the column, offering a slender, elegant appearance and is distinct from the Doric order.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some recognizable features of the Ionic order include its distinctive volutes, or scroll-like ornaments, on the capitals, and the presence of a base supporting the column. This is in contrast to the Doric order, which usually does not have a detailed base. Ionic columns are also known for their more slender and elegant profile compared to the sturdy and simple Doric columns.
The Ionic order became popular during the mid-sixth century BCE in Ionia and made its way to mainland Greece by the fifth century BCE. Among the architectural wonders incorporating the Ionic design are the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Erechtheion on the Athenian Acropolis. When compared to the Doric order, the Ionic order offers a more graceful aesthetic with its continuous sculptural relief and feminine proportions as noted by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.