ARCHITRAVE

ARCHITRAVE, in building, that part of a column,or order of column, which lies immediately upon the capital. See ORDER and CAPITAL.

The Architrave is the lowest member of the frieze, andeven of the whole entablature. See FRIEZE and ENTABLATURE. The Architrave is supposed to represent the principalbeam in timber buildings; whence the name, which isformed of the Greek ἀρχή, chief; and the Latin trabs, beam. See BEAM, &c. The Architrave is different in the different OrdersIn the Tuscan it only consists of a plain face, crowned with a fillet; and is half a module in height. See Face,Tuscan, &c.



In the Doric and Composite, it has two faces, or fasciae;and three in the Ionic and Composite; in which last orderit is ⅔ of a module high, though but half a module in therest. See FASCIA, DORIC, CORINTHIAN, &c.

Architects, however, take a deal of latitude in this part;some using more members than others; and many of themhaving two or three forms of Architraves. What we giveis after Vignola.

Architrave is sometimes also called the reason-piece, or master-beam in timber-buildings, as porticos, cloisters, etc.

In chimneys it is called the mantle-piece; and over the jambs of doors, or lintels of windows, hyperthyron. See MANTEL, &c.

The Greeks call it the epistyle. See EPISTYLE.

Architrave-Doors, are those which have an architrave on the jambs and over the door; upon the cap-piece, if straight, or on the arch, if the top be curved. See DOOR, JAMB, &c.

Architrave-Windows, of timber, are commonly anogee raised out of the solid timber, with a list over it;though sometimes the moldings are struck and laid on; andsometimes are cut in brick. See WINDOW.

The upper fascia is called the Header, or heading, Architrave; and the lower, the Face.

ARCHITRAVE