Ornamentation

Acanthus leaves

stylized leaf motif evident on capital of Corinthian column

Anthemion

based on the honeysuckle flowers and leavers

Arabesque

moorish design of intertwining leaves, flowers, and interlaced branches

baseboard

board places at the base of a wall and rests on the floor

beading

decorative molding that resembles string of beads

bead and reel

combination of beads and reels with ration of 1:2

Boulle

Tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl and metals of various colors used as inlay to ornament cabinetwork, name is derived for Andre Charles Boulle.

Half Bullnose

rounding of an edge

Full or double bullnose

both the top and bottom edge are rounded

C and S scrolls

motifs which emulate letters C and S of the rococo style

Cartouche

form of an unrolled scroll with an oval center having pierced curled edges

caryatid

female figure as columns

Cavetto

molding approximating a quarter circle

ceiling rose

circular decorative moulding made of plaster and is fixed to the ceiling

chair rail or dado cap

topmost molding of dado placed on a wall at a ht. of a chair back

chamfer

slop forming the edge at a 45 degree cut angle

corner block

square block of wood used to form a junction between the sides and head of a strip of a door or window trim

crocket

gothic ornament leaf or bud shaped ornament used on the sides of pinnacles

cinquefoil

french meaning five leaves, pattern resembling five leaved clover

coffer

gothic ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling

cornice

molded projection that crowns a wall. more decorative and elaborate that crown moldings

crown molding

decorative molding at the junction between the wall and ceiling of the room

volute

spiral scroll forming the principal characteristics of the Ionic capital

dentil

small square projecting block in a cornice

echinus

ovoid shape molding forming part of a classical capital

egg and dart molding

classical motif with an alternating dart and egg shapes

festoon

string of many kind of materials hanging in a curve between two points

Espagnolette

A female head and bust used at the top of a volute.

Filigree

a divider with a lacey openwork design

diaper pattern

all over or repeating pattern without definite limits

Cysma recta curve

s-shape curve that begins and ends horizontally; "tummy"

Cysma reversa curve

curve starts and ends vertically; "boobs"

fleur de lis

stylized three petal iris flower tied by an encircling band. Used by the royal family in France

fret or key pattern

Greek geometric band or border motif consisting of interlocking lines

Gargoyle

A grotesque carved human or animal figure, especially one used as a rainspout carrying water clear of a wall

Gesso

prepared plates of chalk and white lead used to cast repeating ornamental forms in relief

Griffin

a fabled monster, usually having the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion

Guilloche

A band or border running pattern having the appearance of overlapping or interlacing circular forms.

Wainscot

wooden lining of interior walls

Honeysuckle

A decorative motif of Greek origin resembling a conventionalized fanlike arrangement of petals.

Lozenge

alternate name for the conventional diamond shaped motif

Gaine

pilaster that narrows toward the bottom capped with a topless female half-figure

Millefleur

overall pattern of stylized flowers and plants of French origin

Lunette

a form resembling a crescent of half moon

Mascaron

grotesque head or mask

Melon bulb

A highly ornamented turning in two sections.

Ormolu

variety of brass made to imitate gold or bronze,

Patera

circle or oval containing acanthus leaves in rosette arrangement

Reeding

long, semi-cylindrical stem-like form used to enrich moldings; opposite of fluting

Rinceau

scroll and leaf ornament combined with cartouches or grotesque forms usually horizontally symmetrical in composition

nosing

prominent edge of a molding

Rosette

ornamental motif formed by a series of leaves arranged around a central point

scallop shell

semi circular shell with ridges radiating from a point at the bottom

waterleaf

A conventionalized leaf pattern of classical origin used to enrich a cyma reversa molding. Sometimes called leaf and dart pattern.

sphinx

figure having the head and breasts of a woman, wings of an eagle, and body of a lion

tracery

stonework formed in a head of a gothic window

trim

millwork around openings such as windows and doors

torus

convex semi-circular molding

Vitruvian scroll

"wave pattern"; peculiar pattern of scroll work consisting convolved undulations

Vignettes

ornamental motifs centered on a large field

hock

cabriole leg formed like the tarsal joint of the hind leg of a quadruped

dado

lower portion of the wall when treated differently from the surface above it

Strapwork

Consisting of enriched interlacing flat bands and forms. A combination of guilloche and fret.

Telamon