MOLDINGS, WITH PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS IN EMBELLISHING WORK
MOLDINGS.--The use of moldings was early resorted to by the nations of
antiquity, and we marvel to-day at many of the beautiful designs which
the Ph[oe]necians, the Greeks and the Romans produced. If you analyze
the lines used you will be surprised to learn how few are the designs
which go to make up the wonderful columns, spires, minarets and domes
which are represented in the various types of architecture.
THE BASIS OF MOLDINGS.--Suppose we take the base type of moldings, and
see how simple they are and then, by using these forms, try to build up
or ornament some article of furniture, as an example of their utility.
THE SIMPLEST MOLDING.--In Fig. 185 we show a molding of the most
elementary character known, being simply in the form of a band (A)
placed below the cap. Such a molding gives to the article on which it is
placed three distinct lines, C, D and E. If you stop to consider you
will note that the molding, while it may add to the strength of the
article, is primarily of service because the lines and surfaces produce
shadows, and therefore become valuable in an artistic sense.
THE ASTRAGAL.--Fig. 186 shows the ankle-bone molding, technically called
the _Astragal_. This form is round, and properly placed produces a good
effect, as it throws the darkest shadow of any form of molding.
[Illustration: _Fig. 185. Band._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 186. Astragal or Ankle Bone._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 187. Cavetto. Concave._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 188. Ovolo. Quarter round._]
THE CAVETTO.--Fig. 187 is the cavetto, or round type. Its proper use
gives a delicate outline, but it is principally applied with some other
form of molding.
THE OVOLO.--Fig. 188, called the ovolo, is a quarter round molding with
the lobe (A) projecting downwardly. It is distinguished from the
astragal because it casts less of a shadow above and below.
THE TORUS.--Fig. 189, known as the torus, is a modified form of the
ovolo, but the lobe (A) projects out horizontally instead of downwardly.
THE APOPHYGES (Pronounced apof-i-ges).--Fig. 190 is also called the
_scape_, and is a concaved type of molding, being a hollowed curvature
used on columns where its form causes a merging of the shaft with the
fillet.
[Illustration: _Fig. 189. Torus._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 190. Apophyge._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 191. Cymatium._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 192. Ogee-Recta._]
THE CYMATIUM.--Fig. 191 is the cymatium (derived from the word cyme),
meaning wave-like. This form must be in two curves, one inwardly and one
outwardly.
THE OGEE.--Fig. 192, called the ogee, is the most useful of all
moldings, for two reasons: First, it may have the concaved surface
uppermost, in which form it is called ogee recta--that is, right side
up; or it may be inverted, as in Fig. 193, with the concaved surface
below, and is then called ogee reversa. Contrast these two views and you
will note what a difference the mere inversion of the strip makes in the
appearance. Second, because the ogee has in it, in a combined form, the
outlines of nearly all the other types. The only advantage there is in
using the other types is because you may thereby build up and space your
work better than by using only one simple form.
[Illustration: _Fig. 193. Ogee-Reversa._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 194. Bead or Reedy._]
You will notice that the ogee is somewhat like the cymatium, the
difference being that the concaved part is not so pronounced as in the
ogee, and the convexed portion bulges much further than in the ogee. It
is capable of use with other moldings, and may be reversed with just as
good effect as the ogee.
THE REEDY.--Fig. 194 represents the reedy, or the bead--that is, it is
made up of reeds. It is a type of molding which should not be used with
any other pronounced type of molding.
THE CASEMENT (Fig. 195).--In this we have a form of molding used almost
exclusively at the base of structures, such as columns, porticoes and
like work.
[Illustration:_ Fig. 195. Casement._]
Now, before proceeding to use these moldings, let us examine a
Roman-Doric column, one of the most famous types of architecture
produced. We shall see how the ancients combined moldings to produce
grace, lights and shadows and artistic effects.
THE ROMAN-DORIC COLUMN.--In Fig. 196 is shown a Roman-Doric column, in
which the cymatium, the ovolo, cavetto, astragal and the ogee are used,
together with the fillets, bases and caps, and it is interesting to
study this because of its beautiful proportions.
[Illustration: _Fig. 196._]
The pedestal and base are equal in vertical dimensions to the
entablature and capital. The entablature is but slightly narrower than
the pedestal; and the length of the column is, approximately, four times
the height of the pedestal. The base of the shaft, while larger
diametrically than the capital, is really shorter measured vertically.
There is a reason for this. The eye must travel a greater distance to
reach the upper end of the shaft, and is also at a greater angle to that
part of the shaft, hence it appears shorter, while it is in reality
longer. For this reason a capital must be longer or taller than the base
of a shaft, and it is also smaller in diameter.
It will be well to study the column not only on account of the wonderful
blending of the various forms of moldings, but because it will impress
you with a sense of proportions, and give you an idea of how simple
lines may be employed to great advantage in all your work.
LESSONS FROM THE DORIC COLUMN.--As an example, suppose we take a plain
cabinet, and endeavor to embellish it with the types of molding
described, and you will see to what elaboration the operation may be
carried.
APPLYING MOLDING.--Let Fig. 197 represent the front, top and bottom of
our cabinet; and the first thing we shall do is to add a base (A) and a
cap (B). Now, commencing at the top, suppose we utilize the simplest
form of molding, the band.
This we may make of any desired width, as shown in Fig. 198. On this
band we can apply the ogee type (Fig. 199) right side up.
But for variation we may decide to use the ogee reversed, as in Fig.
200. This will afford us something else to think about and will call
upon our powers of initiative in order to finish off the lower margin or
edge of the ogee reversa.
[Illustration: _Fig. 197._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 198._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 199._]
If we take the ogee recta, as shown in Fig. 201, we may use the cavetto,
or the ovolo (Fig. 202); but if we use the ogee reversa we must use a
convex molding like the cavetto at one base, and a convex molding, like
the torus or the ovolo, at the other base.
In the latter (Fig. 202) four different moldings are used with the ogee
as the principal structure.
BASE EMBELLISHMENTS.--In like manner (Fig. 204) the base may have the
casement type first attached in the corner, and then the ovolo, or the
astragal added, as in Fig. 203.
[Illustration: _Fig. 200._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 201._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 202._]
STRAIGHT-FACED MOLDINGS.--Now let us carry the principle still further,
and, instead of using various type of moldings, we will employ nothing
but straight strips of wood. This treatment will soon indicate to you
that the true mechanic or artisan is he who can take advantage of
whatever he finds at hand.
Let us take the same cabinet front (Fig. 205), and below the cap (A)
place a narrow strip (B), the lower corner of which has been chamfered
off, as at C. Below the strip B is a thinner strip (D), vertically
disposed, and about two-thirds its width. The lower corner of this is
also chamfered, as at F. To finish, apply a small strip (G) in the
corner, and you have an embellished top that has the appearance, from a
short distance, of being made up of molding.
PLAIN MOLDED BASE.--The base may be treated in the same manner. The main
strip (4) has its upper corner chamfered off, as at I, and on this is
nailed a thin, narrow finishing strip (J). The upper part or molded top,
in this case, has eleven distinct lines, and the base has six lines. By
experimenting you may soon put together the most available kinds of
molding strips.
[Illustration: _Fig. 203._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 204._]
DIVERSIFIED USES.--For a great overhang you may use the cavetto, or the
apophyges, and below that the astragal or the torus; and for the base
the casement is the most serviceable molding, and it may be finished off
with the ovolo or the cymatium.
Pages of examples might be cited to show the variety and the
diversification available with different types.
SHADOWS CAST BY MOLDINGS.--Always bear in mind that a curved surface
makes a blended shadow. A straight, flat or plain surface does not, and
it is for that reason the concaved and the convexed surfaces, brought
out by moldings, become so important.
[Illustration: _Fig. 205._]
A little study and experimenting will soon teach you how a convex, a
concave or a flat surface, and a corner or corners should be arranged
relatively to each other; how much one should project beyond the other;
and what the proportional widths of the different molding bands should
be. An entire volume would scarcely exhaust this subject.