Corniced: meaning, definitions and examples

Architecture

• Cornices are often made of materials like wood, plaster, or stone and can add elegance to a building.
• Different architectural styles, such as Baroque and Neoclassical, feature unique cornice designs, making them historically significant.
• In ancient Rome, cornices were often intricately designed, showcasing the skill and artistry of builders.

Art and Aesthetics

• In artistic terms, cornices can help frame a piece of art or sculpture, drawing the eye to important details.
• They are utilized in interior design to enhance ceiling heights and add a touch of sophistication.
• Many famous painters, like Leonardo da Vinci, included tiled cornices in their works, illustrating the detail of architecture.

Literature

• Cornices often appear in literary descriptions of grand buildings, symbolizing opulence and wealth.
• Writers use detailed imagery of cornices to convey the grandeur of settings, influencing the reader’s imagination.
• Poets may refer to cornices to evoke themes of beauty and decay in poetry, highlighting contrasts in human experience.

Fashion

• The term 'corniced' is sometimes used in fashion to describe garments with ornate, layered trims that resemble architectural cornices.
• Vintage fashion often incorporates cornice-like elements, showcasing how architectural influences extend beyond buildings.
• Designers may draw inspiration from building cornices to create unique textile patterns or embellishments.

Cultural Significance

• In many cultures, cornices reflect the aesthetic values and craftsmanship of the time when a building was constructed.
• The presence of cornices can signify the importance of a building, often separating common structures from places of worship or governance.
• Cornices in monumental architecture can connect a community to its history, representing collective memory and pride.