Dr. Harris, and the rest of die Dictionary-Writers, make the Abacus to be the Capital it self ; which is altogether as just, as to make the Crown of the Head the whole Head. See CAPITAL, and CROWNING.
ACANTHUS, in Architecture, an Ornament in the Corinthian and Composite Orders; being the Representation of the Leaves of an Acanaceous Plant, in the Capitals thereof.See CAPITAL, and LEAVES.
It takes its Name from δKανθος, the Name given the Plant among the Greeks, as being prickly, or of the Thistle Kind. The Latin Botanists call it Sranca Ursina, Bearsoot, from some supposed resemblance it bears thereto; or Sranca Hircina, by reason its Leaves bend and twill somewhat like a Goat's Horns.There are two Kinds of the Plant Acanthus, one whereof grows wild, and is full of Prickles; the other grows in Gardens, and is by Virgil called Mollis, in regard it is soft, and without any Prickles.—The Greek Sculptors adorned their Works with the Figure of the latter; as the Gothic did with that of the former, which they represented not only in their Capitals, but also in other Ornaments.
It takes its Name from δKανθος, the Name given the Plant among the Greeks, as being prickly, or of the Thistle Kind. The Latin Botanists call it Sranca Ursina, Bearsoot, from some supposed resemblance it bears thereto; or Sranca Hircina, by reason its Leaves bend and twill somewhat like a Goat's Horns.There are two Kinds of the Plant Acanthus, one whereof grows wild, and is full of Prickles; the other grows in Gardens, and is by Virgil called Mollis, in regard it is soft, and without any Prickles.—The Greek Sculptors adorned their Works with the Figure of the latter; as the Gothic did with that of the former, which they represented not only in their Capitals, but also in other Ornaments.
ACROTERIA, or Acroteres, in Architecture, little pedestals, usually without bases, placed at the middle, and at the two extremes of frontispieces or pediments; and serving to support statues. See PEDESTAL and STATUE.
Those at the extremes ought to be half the height of the tympanum; and that in the middle, according to Vitruvius, one-eighth part more. See PEDIMENT, etc.
Those at the extremes ought to be half the height of the tympanum; and that in the middle, according to Vitruvius, one-eighth part more. See PEDIMENT, etc.
AMPHIPROSTYLE, in the ancient Architecture, a kind of Temple, which had four Columns in Front, and as many behind. See TEMPLE. The Word is derived from the Greek ἀμφί (amphí): before, and στῦλος (stýlos), Column.
ANCONES, in Architecture, are the Corners or Quoins of Walls, Cross Beams, or Rafters. See QUOIN, &c.