Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ............... Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary

Acroterion (Acroterium)
ac row TAIR ee on
Plural: Acroteria

  

Architecture

1- Blocks or flat pedestals resting on the apex and on the lowest ends of the triangular pediment to support statues or carved ornaments.

2- The term is sometimes applied to the carved ornament itself, which resembled a stylized palmette. flanked by double S scrolls

Greek: "acroterion" - the summit or extremity

Acroteria are often shaped as stylized palmettes, but they can take other forms, such as griffons or human heads.

Found in classical Greek and Roman architecture and derivatives, including Beaux Arts Classicism, , ..... Classical Revival, , ..... Federal, , ..... Georgian Revival,, ..... Greek Revival, , ..... Neoclassicism, , ..... Renaissance Revival,, ..... Second Empire


Furniture

In English and American 18th-century furniture, the acroteria refers to the end blocks of the pedimented top of a secretary or bookcase, or the central block in a broken pediment which might hold an urn, vase, finial, or other ornament.


Examples from Buffalo:

Other examples:


Photos and their arrangement © 2002 Chuck LaChiusa
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