Ovolo
Convex molding in classical architecture
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Molding-ovulo.svg/194px-Molding-ovulo.svg.png)
The ovolo or echinus is a convex decorative molding profile used in architectural ornamentation . Its profile is a quarter to a half of a more or less flattened circle.
The 1911 edition of Encyclopædia Britannica says:
adapted from Ital. uovolo , diminutive of uovo , an egg; other foreign equivalents are Fr. ove , échine , quart de rond ; Lat. echinus ... [as used] in architecture, [for] a convex moulding known also as the echinus, which in Classic architecture was invariably carved with the egg and tongue. In Roman and Italian work the moulding is called by workmen a quarter round. [1]
The "egg and tongue" referred to, also known as egg-and-dart , egg-and-anchor, or egg-and-star, refers to alternating egg and V-shapes enriching the surface of the concave ovolo in many early cases. [2] : 116
The description of ovolo as the fundamental convex quarter-round element underlying or being combined with other elements to compose molding , details on column capitals, and other architectural ornamentation remains in common use, as evidenced by the description by Lewis and Darley (1986) of the ovolo as a "[c]onvex moulding... usually a quarter of a circle in section", which also notes that it is "often enriched with egg and dart or similar ornament". [2] : 222 Ovolo adornment by the egg-and-dart element was used on Ionic capitals by ancient Roman and ancient Greek builders (e.g., at the Erechtheion ), [3] and continue to adorn capitals of modern buildings built in Classical styles (e.g., the Ionic capitals of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. ), [ citation needed ] and to find use in Neoclassical architecture . [4] [ better source needed ]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Cyma_recta_et_reversa.png/220px-Cyma_recta_et_reversa.png)
The fundamental element of ornamental, architectural molding that is concave (rather than convex like the ovolo) is found in cavetto or hollow chamfering moldings, which also usually presents a quarter-round cross-section, albeit concave. [2] : 73 Ovolo and cavetto elements can be combined to form compound moldings; most simply, with the convex ovolo molding below the cavetto, it is known as cyma recta (for its wave-like cross-section), a type of common edge profile commonly referred to as ogee . [2] : 97 The compound molding with the concave cavetto below and the convex ovolo above is termed cyma reversa. [2] : 97 In modern residential applications, the ovolo profile is often used as the inside edge of stile and rail interior and cabinet doors. [5]
The Britannica article goes on to note that the echinus synonym of ovolo should "not be confounded with the echinus of the Greek Doric capital", which is "of a more varied form and of much larger dimensions than the ovolo, which was only a subordinate moulding." [1]
See also
References
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : Chisholm, Hugh , ed. (1911). " Ovolo ". Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 391.
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Lewis, Philippa & Darley, Gillian (1986).
Dictionary of Ornament
. New York: Pantheon Books. pp.
222, 73, 97, and 116.
ISBN
0-394-50931-5
. Retrieved
January 9,
2020
.
cavetto moulding or hollow chamfering (Latin, cavare , to hollow). One of the principal forms of moulding, a concave version of the ovolo moulding, usually a quarter of a circle in section. [p. 73] / cyma recta (Latin, cyma , wave). Important compound moulding, combining the ovolo and cavetto with the convex moulding below. In section the moulding is a double curve, concave above, convex below. Also known as ogee moulding. cyma reversa ... [presenting concave below, convex above, p. 97] / ovolo . Convex moulding (usually a quarter of a circle in section), often enriched with egg and dart or similar ornament. [p. 222]
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link ) - ↑ Shoe, Lucy T. (1936) Profiles of Greek Mouldings , [ full citation needed ] and Shoe, Lucy T. (1950) "Greek Mouldings of Kos and Rhodes", Hesperia 19 (4, Oct-Dec):338-369.
- ↑ Regan, Raina (February 21, 2012). "Building Language: Egg-and-dart" . Historic Indianapolis . historicindianapolis.com . Retrieved 11 September 2016 .
- ↑ "Furniture | Ovolo Architectural Design" . Retrieved 2022-08-09 .