An abacus is a counting frame with balls sliding on wires. It was first used before the adoption of the ten digit numeric system and is still widely used in China. Research Abacus
In architecture the term abacus is refers to the flat square slab of masonry that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave.
The term abacus is also used to describe a tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work. Research Abacus
In architecture, bell describes that part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neckmoulding; the term is also used for the naked core of a nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital.
In architecture, a boultel is a moulding, the convexity of which is one fourth of a circle, being a member just below the abacus in the Tuscan and Roman Doric capital. the term is also applied to one of the shafts of a clustered column. Research Boultel
In architecture, a coussinet is a stone placed on the impost of a pier for receiving the first stone of an arch. The term is also applied to that part of the Ionic capital between the abacus and quarter round, which forms the volute. Research Coussinet
In architecture a cyma is a wavy moulding the profile of which is made up of a curve of contrary flexure, either concave at top and convex at bottom or the reverse. In the first case it is called a cyma recta; in the second a cyma reversa. It is a member of the cornice, standing below the abacus or corona. Research Cyma
Early English architecture was the first of the pointed or Gothic styles of architecture that prevailed in England. It succeeded the Norman in the reign of Richard I (1189), and continued to the end of the reign of Henry II in 1272, a period of 123 years when it gradually merged into the Decorated style - some argue that the early English style continued until 1307.
One of the leading peculiarities in this style is the form of the windows, which are narrow in proportion to their height, and terminate in a pointed arch, resembling the blade of a lancet. Throughout the early period of the style they are very plain, particularly in small churches;
but in cathedrals and other large buildings the windows, frequently combined two or more together, are carried to a great height, are richly and deeply moulded, and the jambs ornamented with slender shafts. On the eastern and western fronts of small churches the windows are often combined in this manner, with a circular window above and a richly moulded door below; but in large buildings there is often more than one range of windows, and the combinations are very various. Though
separated on the outside, these lancets are in the interior combined into one design, thus giving the first idea of a compound window.
The doorways are in general pointed, and in rich buildings sometimes double; they are usually moulded, and enriched with the tooth-ornament. The buttresses are often very bold and prominent, and are frequently carried up to the top of the building with but little diminution, and terminate in acutely-pointed pediments, which, when raised above the parapet, produce in some degree the effect of pinnacles. In this style, likewise, flying-buttresses were first introduced, and the buttresses themselves much increased in projection owing to the comparative lightness of the walls, which required some counter-support to resist the outward pressure of the vaulting.
The roof in the Early English style appears always to have been high pitched, and the towers surmounted by lofty pointed spires, as at Salisbury Cathedral. In the interior the arches are usually lancet-shaped, and the pillars often reduced to very slender proportions. As if to give still greater lightness of appearance, they are frequently made up of a centre pillar, surrounded by slight detached shafts, only connected with the pillar by their capitals and bases, and bands of metal placed at intervals. These shafts are generally of Purbeckmarble, the pillar itself being of stone, and from their extreme slenderness they sometimes appear as if quite inadequate to support the weight above them. Some of the best examples are to be seen in SalisburyCathedral.
The architects of this style carried their ideas of lightness to the utmost limits of prudence, and their successors have been afraid to imitate their example. The abacus of the capitals is generally made up of two bold round mouldings, with a deep hollow between. The foliage is peculiar, generally very gracefully drawn, and thrown into elegant curves; it is usually termed stiff-leaved, from the circumstance of its rising with a stiff stem from the neck-mould of the capital. The trefoil is commonly imitated, and is very characteristic of the style. The mouldings of this style have great boldness, and produce a striking effect of light and shade. They consist chiefly of rounds separated by deep hollows, in which a peculiar ornament, called the dog's-tooth, is used, whenever ornament can be introduced. This ornament is as characteristic of the Early English as the zigzag is of the Norman. Research Early English
Abbreviations
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