Chambranle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In architecture and joinery, the chambranle is the border, frame, or ornament of stone or wood, used in the three sides round chamber doors, large windows, and chimneys.

The chambranle is different in the different orders. When it is plain and without mouldings, it is called simply and properly, band, case, or frame. The chambranle consists of three parts; the two sides, called montants, or ports, and the top, called the traverse or supercilium. The chambranle of an ordinary door is frequently called a door-case; of a window, window-frame; and of a chimney, mantle-tree.

[edit] History

In ancient architecture, antepagmenta were garnishings in posts or doors, wrought in stone or timber, or lintels of a window. The word comes from Latin and has been borrowed in English to be used for the entire chambranle, i.e. the door case, or window frame.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.[1]
• Antepagmenta, Cyclopaedia: or, An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (folio, 2 vols.), Ephraim Chambers. London 1728, p. 106.
  • Chambranle, Cyclopaedia: or, An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (folio, 2 vols.), Ephraim Chambers. London 1728, p. 190.
• ANTEPAGMENTA, Ancient Library, p. 98