Acroterion
An acroterion or acroterium is an architectural ornament placed on a flat base called the acroter or plinth, and mounted at the apex of the pediment of a building in the classical style. It may also be placed at the outer angles of the pediment; such acroteria are referred to as acroteria angularia (angulāria means ‘at the corners’).
The acroterion may take a wide variety of forms, such as a statue, tripod, disc, urn, palmette or some other sculpted feature. Acroteria are also found in Gothic architecture.[citation needed] They are sometimes incorporated into the design of furniture.[1]
The word comes from the Greek akrōtḗrion (ἀκρωτήριον ‘summit, extremity’), from the superlative form of the adjective akros (ἄκρος, ‘extreme, endmost’). It was Latinized by the Romans as acroterium.[2] Acroteria is the plural of both the original Greek[3] and the Latin form.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/4232/acroterion
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ↑ Greek Architecture glossary
- ↑ Acroterium at A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875.
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