A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux.

  • John Britton
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    42/624 (page 2)
    latter, are cut into eccentric cavities, or curves, each of which is generally adorned with a flower or other enrich- ment. In general practice, the angles of the abacus are cut off in segments of circles. In the Temple of Jupiter Olympius, at Athens, the angles terminate in sharp points. In Christian architecture, the abaci form the bases of arches, and in shape and ornament are greatly diversified, as ex- emplified in the accompanying plates of Capitals and Columns. Mr. Rickman thinks that the square abacus is a sure guide to distinguish the Norman from what he calls the early English,” [Attempt, p. 55] ; but several examples of Norman buildings may be pointed out where the abaci are circular, (as in Canterbury Crypt, Columns, pi. ii. no. 4), and octangular, (as in the choir of the same church, pi. Ca- pitals, no. 2.) In the same plate are two examples of capitals (8 and 11), belonging to pointed arches, where the abaci are octangular. These eccentricities shew that we must not attempt to include all the varieties within a few systematic forms. In all the members of the column and arch, as in their sizes, proportions, and shapes, the monastic architects were unrestrained in their designs, and unfettered by arbi- trary rules. Though not an invariable, it may be regarded as a general maxim in Christian architecture, that the abaci as well as the capitals were in the earliest examples square, next circular, then octagonal: they often varied from the form of the capital.—(See the plates i. and ii. of Capitals and Columns.) Gwilt’s llud. pi. ii. iii. Carter's Ant. Arch. vol. 1. pi. xxxiv. p, 27. Abamurus. Low Lat., i. e. a muro ; contremur. Nor. Fr. ; contramuro. It. A buttress, or second wall, added to strengthen another. “ Item transpositi sunt abamuri cum archeriis, quae non sunt redactae ad pristinum statum ad mensuram unius tesm.”—Carpentier, Glos. Nov. Abated. A wmrd used in a document respecting the Beau- champ Chapel, at Warwick, wherein the marbler” agrees that all the champes about the letters are to be abated, and hatched curiously, to set out the letters.” — Arch. Antiq. vol. iv. p. 13. Abat-jour. Fr. A sky-light; or, any sloping aperture for the admission of light to a room.