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

Egg-and-dart
Variations: Egg-and-anchor, Egg-and-arrow, and Egg-and-tongue


Erectheion, Acropolis, Athens, Greece


Grace Millard Knox House

A decorative molding consisting of a series of bas-relief egg-shaped figures alternating with dart-shaped, anchor-shaped, or tongue-shaped figures.

An Ionic capital is usually enriched with egg-and-dart.

In the egg-and-anchor, egg-and-arrow, and egg-and-tongue moldings, the arrowhead ornament is varied in form.

Some historians contend this ornamental device is supposed to represent the duality of life (the egg) and death (the arrow).

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



Plaster medallion salvaged from 32 Park St., Buffalo.
Speculation:  From 1860s or 1870s?    Was this designed by a non- or semi-professional medallion manufacturer?  Is it his/her interpretation of egg-and-dart?
Photo courtesy of Christopher N. Brown


Examples from Buffalo:

Other examples:


Photos and their arrangement © 2002 Chuck LaChiusa
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