Molding

Section and elevation of various moulding types.

The moulding (also, fascia) is a decorative element in relief, with a pronounced longitudinal component, which preserves the same profile throughout its entire layout.

It is used in a variety of artistic works, including carpentry and, significantly, architecture. The profile, or cross section, defines and differentiates the multiple types of moldings, although they may receive a different name if they are part of smooth walls or columns; or if they belong to a different style or era.

Types of smooth moldings

Types of mouldings.

Smooth moldings are classified by their section or profile into rectangular and curved. Those with a curved section are divided into those made up of a curve segment (circumference or ellipse), or made up of two curve segments.

Listel

The listel, also called a fillet, is a small continuous molding with a square or rectangular section. It is used to separate other larger moldings and to break the continuity of a plane. Figure 1.

Larger similar moldings are called sashes. Figure 2.

Bull

Convex molding with a circular section, analogous to the geometric figure defined by a toric surface. It is used as an ornament of cylindrical pieces (for example, a column) in which it can be embedded up to its directrix axis, being confused in such a case with the bocel. Figure 4.

Muzzle

Convex molding with a semicircular or, sometimes, elliptical section, with a smooth surface. When the directrix is straight, it is equivalent to a semicylinder; if it is circular, to a semitorus. Figure 4.

The small circular profile molding, arranged as a ring-shaped cord, which surrounds the shaft of the column below the drum of the capital, is also called astragalus.

The molding whose section is a quarter of a circle is called half round or fourth round. Figures 5 and 6.

Drumstick

The drumstick or drumstick is the convex molding with a circular section, the smallest diameter among those with a convex profile and thinner than the bocel. It was used extensively in the constructions of the Middle Ages. Figure 3.

Gola

The ruff is a molding whose profile is S-shaped. It has a concavity at the top and a convexity at the bottom. In the gola the most protruding part is up. It is similar to the cimacio. Figure 9.

If it has a convexity at the top and a concavity at the bottom, it is called a reverse ruff, or reverse ruff. It is similar to a nacelle. Figure 7.

The molding whose profile consists of a convex and a concave part is called heel. The right heel has the convex part above, and the reverse heel below. In the heel, the most protruding part is below. Right heel: figure 10. Reverse heel: figure 8.

Nacela

Molding that starts vertically, whose profile is formed by two circumferential arcs of different radii, the lower arc being concave and the upper one convex. It is wider at the top, which is why it is used to link two surfaces where the lower one is set back with respect to the upper one. Figure 7.

Cymacio

Molding whose profile is made up of two circumferential arcs arranged to form an S, so that the upper arc is concave and the lower one is convex. The upper part of the molding is wider than the lower one, it hangs more, for which reason it is used to link two surfaces of which the upper one protrudes with respect to the lower one. Figure 9.

The molding that is concave at the top and convex at the bottom is called straight top. Figure 9.

The molding that is convex at the top and concave at the bottom is called reverse top. Figure 7.

Scotland

Concave moulding, composed of two curves of different radii, normally the lower arch being the largest. Its name comes from the fact that when it was present on the Greek base of the Ionic order columns, it produced a pronounced effect of shadows and light. Figure 14.

The concave molding whose profile is semicircular is called half round. Figure 13.

Caveto

The caveto, also called sgucio or antechinus, is a concave decorative molding with a quarter-circle profile. It forms the characteristic upper end of Egyptian temples. Figure 16.

It is called caveto recto when the flight is up and caveto upside down when it is down. Figures 11 and 12.

Baqueton or Fascicle

Type of round vertical molding, in the form of a stem or roll, and normally arranged in a row with others, used especially in Gothic architecture.