Acroterion

Examples of acroteria.
A modern acroterion, in the Art Deco style. Approximately 2m tall, removed.

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. 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

  1. ↑ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/4232/acroterion
  2. ↑ "acroter". Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. September 2005. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ↑ Greek Architecture glossary
  4. ↑ Acroterium at A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875.

External links

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