Looking at Buildings

Glossary

Angle volute: Whitehall, London
A pair of volutes or spiral scrolls turned outwards to meet at the corner of a capital, especially an Ionic capital.
Anglo-Saxon: The architecture of the 7th to mid-11th centuries, i.e. before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its standing remains are confined to churches, which are distinguished from those of the Continent by certain masonry techniques such as long-and-short work. See also Saxo-Norman.
Annulet: A ring around a circular pier or a shaft attached to a pier, typical of the 12th and 13th centuries. Also called a shaft-ring.
Anse de panier: (French, lit. basket handle): Arch of three-centred and depressed type, or with a flat centre; also called a basket arch.
Antae (singular: anta): Simplified pilasters, usually applied to the ends of the enclosing walls of a portico (called in antis).
Antefixae: Ornaments projecting at regular intervals above a Greek cornice, originally to conceal the ends of roof tiles.
Anthemion: Classical ornament like a honeysuckle flower.
Apron: Raised panel below a window or wall monument or tablet.
Apse: Semicircular or polygonal end of an apartment, especially of a chancel or chapel. In classical architecture sometimes called an exedra.
Arabesque: Non-figurative surface decoration consisting of flowing lines, foliage scrolls etc., based on geometrical patterns. Compare grotesque.