Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ...........................Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary.
Dolphin
Architecture
Dolphin columns
Delphinorum columnae: The two columns at one end of the spina of an ancient Roman circus, on which marble figures of dolphins were placed.
FurnitureA mid-16th-century (Renaissance) decoration and symbol for the Dauphin (pron. DAW fin), eldest son of the king of France.
Found also in the Baroque, Empire and Louis XVI styles.The dolphins used on Empire furniture are fish, not animals. Note the use of scales. There are dolphins, however, that are animals. Cf., boys riding dolphins in Greek statuary.
The symbol for love and swiftness."Also used as a Christian symbol was the dolphin, most often as a symbol of the Christian himself rather than Christ, though the dolphin was also used as a representation of Christ -- most often in combination with the anchor symbol ("Christ on the Cross")." - Fish Eaters
See also: Animal legs
Examples:
- Right illustration above: Packard Building, Buffalo
- McKinley Monument, Buffalo
- Oliver Hazard Perry statue, Buffalo
- Photo - Downspout elbow, Savannah, Ga.
- Canal House Gable, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Piazza della Rontono Fountain, Rome, Italy
- Left illustration above: Bargello, Florence, Italy
- Furniture: Empire dolphin 3-piece dining room set - Private collection, Buffalo, NY
- Furniture: Empire pier table - Athenaeum, Philadelphia
