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archivolt

archivolt

1 9.9
A curved band of decoration along the face of an arch
  • noun
  • /ˈɑrkɪˌvoʊlt/
  • Specialized
: archivolta
  • The doorway is framed by a series of three large arches, each bearing Proconessian marble reliefs both on its archivolt and intrados underneath (Fig. 6).

Examples

  • Explicitly linking labor with piety, the program of the second arch places the Months on the intrados and Virtues and Beatitudes on the archivolt.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The architect designed the archivolt to complement the building's overall aesthetic.

  • At least some of the Elders of the Apocalypse in the second figured archivolt underwent similar restorations.

    Academic text (2005)
  • In the first figured archivolt, which contains a number of intriguing depictions of peasant occupations, about half of the twenty-six voussoirs possess modern heads, arms, legs, or other features.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The atlantes in the trumeau socle, a number of the occupations depicted in the first archivolt, some of the Elders, and the two soldiers depicted in the spandrels on either side of the portal arch all survive intact and largely or entirely unrestored.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The archivolt above the entrance features intricate carvings of mythical creatures.

  • In the cathedral, the beautifully painted archivolt adds to the grandeur of the arch.

Surface Forms

archivolt singular
archivolts plural

Morphology

archivolt = arch (semi-transparent) = arch + volt

The first element 'arch' clearly signals a relation to arches, but the second element is an uncommon combining form (not a productive standalone English morpheme), and the full specialized architectural sense is not obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Archivolt comes from two simple parts: arch ('curved top') and volta or vault ('a curved turn' or 'arched roof'). So an archivolt is the decorative band that follows the curve of an arch.