Cornice

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

Cornice
KOR niss

Architecture

1. Any crowning projection

2. In classical architecture, the third or uppermost division of an entablature, resting on the frieze. (Includes dentil molding where present)

Crown molding: A wide, molding with beveled edges that is used at the junction of an interior wall and ceiling. General term for any molding at the top or "crowning" an architectural element.

Raking cornice: A cornice following the slope (the angled sides) of a gable, pediment or roof

Modillion cornice: A cornice supported by a series of modillions, often found in Composite and Corinthian orders.

Bracketed cornice: term used especially when the brackets are not modillions

Egyptian cornice AKA: Egyptian gorge / Cavetto cornice / Gorge-and-roll cornice / Gorge cornice

Dentils may be present as part of the cornice

See also: entablature which includes the cornice above the frieze

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; also Italianate

Furniture

The projecting member, usually molded and/or shaped, at the top of a bookcase, cabinet or tallboy, or above the tester of a bed.

Examples from Buffalo area architecture:

Left illustration above: Guaranty Building Exterior roof ornamentation

Daniel Good Mausoleum Egyptian cornice

Williams-Butler House Exterior roof ornamentation

Fred Eberhardt House Exterior roof ornamentation

Chimney cap

Miller Mansion Interior crown molding

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum Classical entablature door surround

Brendel Building Exterior ornamentation on Italianate style building

Miller Mansion Fireplace

Adam House Fireplace

Egyptian cornice Egyptian Revival examples

Examples from Buffalo area FURNITURE:

Right illustration above - Furniture: Highboy - Dana Tillou Fine Arts

Furniture: Pier glass, Horace Reed House
Furniture: Kas - Private collection, Amherst NY

Furniture: Victorian enclosed-front bookcase - Old Editions Book Shop and Café

Furniture: Mirror on Renaissance Revival bedroom dresser: Private collection, Buffalo, NY

Other examples:

114 Main Street, Albion, NY Exterior roof ornamentation

116 Main Street, Albion, NY Exterior roof ornamentation

Charleston, South Carolina Exterior roof ornamentation

Claridge Condominiums, Pompano, Florida Exterior roof ornamentation

Pedlar People Sheetmetal Building Material Catalog: Cornices, Canada Exterior roof ornamentation

Egyptian cornice Examples from Egypt