Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ............... Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary
Illustrated
Architecture Dictionary
............... Illustrated
FURNITURE
Glossary
Acroterion (Acroterium)
ac row TAIR ee on
Plural: Acroteria
Architecture
1- Blocks or flat pedestals resting on the apex and on the lowest ends of the triangular pediment to support statues or carved ornaments.
2- The term is sometimes applied to the carved ornament itself, which resembled a stylized palmette. flanked by double S scrolls
Greek: "acroterion" - the summit or extremity
Acroteria are often shaped as stylized palmettes, but they can take other forms, such as griffons or human heads.
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
FurnitureIn English and American 18th-century furniture, the acroteria refers to the end blocks of the pedimented top of a secretary or bookcase, or the central block in a broken pediment which might hold an urn, vase, finial, or other ornament.
Examples from Buffalo:
- Left illustration above: 25 Lexington Ave.
- Right illustration above: Ramsdell House
- Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum
- Market Arcade
- Unity Temple
- Harlow C. Curtiss House
- Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum
- 172 Linwood Ave
- Hook & Ladder No. 12
- Buffalo Savings Bank / Goldome / M& T Bank Branch
- Silverthorne House
- Furniture: Chippendale highboy - Kittinger Furniture Company
- Furniture: Queen Anne highboy - Winterthur Museum
- Furniture: Chippendale Rococo highboy - Winterthur Museum
- Furniture: Tall clock - Private collection, Buffalo, NY
Other examples:
