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scrollwork

scrollwork

1 7.3
A carved, painted, or shaped pattern of spirals and curves on furniture and gates
  • noun
  • /ˈskroʊlˌwɜrk/
translation icon : trabajo en espiral
  • From the grand, fierce sweep of her bow to her formidable stern, she was a long white curve of power, with stainless steel scrollwork wandering over the bow and her name, Carole Anne, in Spencerian script at the stern.
  • intricate scrollwork
  • fancy scrollwork
  • wrought-iron scrollwork

Examples

  • There was ornamental scrollwork around the moldings, and a medallion of similar design on the ceiling surrounded the hanging point of the chandelier.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Elaborate plaster scrollwork.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Look at the intricacy of the scrollwork on the stem.

  • Look at the artistry of these carvings, and the scrollwork.

  • A silver bracelet with some intricate scrollwork clung to his right wrist.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Looking out the window toward the street, the two took in the porticoed veranda and wrought-iron scrollwork by which the builder conveyed an air of Southern gentility.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The building was fancy, too, with two stories and a lot of elaborate scrollwork and trim on its front.

  • The office was high-ceilinged with plaster scrollwork around the chandelier.

  • A silver bracelet with some intricate scrollwork clung to his right wrist.

Synonyms

design
vsscrollwork
422 3.3

A pattern or picture used to decorate a surface

is specific to spiral and curved ornament rather than any pattern
scroll
vsscrollwork
6 4.8

A spiral or curled shape often used as a decoration

is a broader decorative pattern built from many spirals and curves
scalloping
vsscrollwork
1 6.0

A wavy edge decoration on cloth or paper

uses spirals and curves across surfaces rather than edge-only patterns
openwork
vsscrollwork
1 8.0

Decorative work with a pattern of holes like lace

is continuous carved or painted curves not patterns made from openings
linework
vsscrollwork
  • Specialized
1 5.8

The way an artist uses lines to make a drawing look clear or lively

is three dimensional curved ornament often carved or molded not just line art
strapwork
vsscrollwork
  • Specialized
9.6

A decorative pattern of crossed, curling bands on furniture or buildings

focuses on free spirals and curves rather than interlaced bands
cuspidation
vsscrollwork
  • Specialized
9.9

A decorative pattern of small pointed shapes in arches or windows

favours smooth spirals and rounded curves rather than pointed cusps

How Ornate

arabesque
1 9.1
filigree
6 9.8
scrollwork
1 7.3
curve
209 2.3
plain
50 2.5

Surface Forms

scrollwork singular
scrollworks plural

Morphology

scrollwork = scroll + work (semi-transparent) = scroll + work

The components 'scroll' and 'work' are recognizable and the compound meaning 'decorative work made of scroll-like motifs' can be inferred, but the specialized decorative senses may be less familiar to some learners.

Etymology

Scrollwork comes from scroll, which was a 'rolled piece of paper', because the designs look like curled, rolling shapes, and work means a 'crafted' design. So, scrollwork is the spiral or curved decoration you see on frames, gates, and furniture.