What is the meaning of pediment in architecture?
Pediment. Pediment, in architecture, triangular gable forming the end of the roof slope over a portico (the area, with a roof supported by columns, leading to the entrance of a building); or a similar form used decoratively over a doorway or window. The pediment was the crowning feature of the Greek temple front.
What is an ordinary Pedimento used for?
Normally, an ordinary pedimento is used when importing goods in one single container, or when required, for each specific customs operation.
What are the different types of pediments?
Five Types of Pediments 1 Triangular Pediment:. The "rake" or angle of the slope can vary. 2 Broken Pediment:. The "broken" space is usually at the top apex (eliminating the top angle), but sometimes at the... 3 Segmental Pediment:. A segmental pediment might complement or even be called a curvilinear tympanum. 4 Open Pediment:. More ...
What was the purpose of the Roman pediment?
The Romans adapted the pediment as a purely decorative form to finish doors, windows, and especially niches.
What is a classical pediment?
A pediment is a gable wall that, in Classical architecture, rested above the columns and entablature of a Greek temple. Ornamental pediments above windows and doors have been used in various styles of architecture up to the present day.
What was the purpose of a pediment?
The pediment first appeared as a feature in ancient Greek temples. This is what many people associate it with to this day. In Greek temples, the pediment not only helped to visually harmonize the geometric shapes of the building, it was actually an important structural element of the roof as well.
What does pediment mean in art?
ped·i·ment ˈpe-də-mənt. : a triangular space that forms the gable of a low-pitched roof and that is usually filled with relief sculpture in classical architecture. also : a similar form used as a decoration.
What are pediments on a house?
In classical architecture, a pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable on the front of a building. The motif has survived through the ages, though in forms that have sometimes deviated wildly from that handed down by the ancient Greeks.
What is a decorative pediment?
A pediment is an architectural feature which consists of a triangular ornament placed on top of a structure or feature such as a gable.
What is pediment in art history?
In classical and Neoclassical architecture, a wide, low-pitched gable at the top of the façade of a building. The pediment is formed by the sloping roof and the horizontal cornice.
What is another word for pediment?
What is another word for pediment?restbaseholderpropshelfstaytrestleframerackbed96 more rows
Who sculpted a pediment?
They were first drawn, not accurately, in 1436 by Ciriaco de' Pizzicolli.
What does broken pediment mean?
Definition of broken pediment : a pediment frequent in the baroque style having a gap at the apex (as for a statue or vase)
What is the difference between a gable and a pediment?
A pediment is a gable decorated with elaborate sculptures or other artwork. In other words, all pediments are gables, but not all gables are pediments.
What is the difference between a pediment and a Bajada?
The pediment is strictly degradational, the slope cutting across the bedding of older formations, with only a thin veneer of gravelly debris; in contrast, the bajada is a three-dimensional prism, stratified parallel to the slope, and underlain by poorly sorted gravels and detritus, torrent and MASS WASTING; pr Vol.
What is a wall pediment?
Pediments are the portion of the trim that is located above the pilasters, which are the column like frames on the sides of windows and doors.
What is a Roman pediment?
A pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable originally found on temples in ancient Greece and Rome. Pediments were reinvented during the Renaissance and later imitated in Greek Revival and Neoclassical house styles of the 19th and 20th centuries.
What does pediment mean in geography?
A pediment is a gently sloping erosion surface or plain of low relief formed by running water in arid or semiarid region at the base of a receding mountain front.
What is the difference between a pediment and a Bajada?
The pediment is strictly degradational, the slope cutting across the bedding of older formations, with only a thin veneer of gravelly debris; in contrast, the bajada is a three-dimensional prism, stratified parallel to the slope, and underlain by poorly sorted gravels and detritus, torrent and MASS WASTING; pr Vol.
What does the Parthenon pediment represent?
The east pediment of the Parthenon showed the birth of goddess Athena from the head of her father Zeus. The sculptures that represented the actual scene are lost. Zeus was probably shown seated, while Athena was striding away from him fully grown and armed.
What is the pediment in Greek temples?
The pediment was the crowning feature of the Greek temple front. The triangular wall surface of the pediment, called the tympanum, rested on an entablature (a composite band of horizontal moldings) carried over the columns.
What is a portico?
portico, colonnaded porch or entrance to a structure, or a covered walkway supported by regularly spaced columns. Porticoes formed the entrances to ancient Greek temples. The portico is a principal feature of Greek temple architecture and thus a prominent…
What is a tympanum?
tympanum, in Classical architecture, the area enclosed by a pediment, whether triangular or segmental. In a triangular pediment, the area is defined by the horizontal cornice along the bottom and by the raking (sloping) cornice along the sides; in a segmental pediment, the sides have segmental cornices. A…
What are the different types of pediments?
Both triangular and segmental pediments can be varied further by using different options for the apex and base. These options are: standard, receding, and broken (also known as open). All the pediments shown so far have had a standard apex with a standard base. This is the simplest and most common form. However, any combination of apex and base may be used. For example, a pediment might have a broken apex with a standard base, or a recessed apex with a recessed base, or a recessed apex with a broken base. The following table illustrates these combinations.
What are pediments in Greek?
Pediments were originally triangular gables found on Greek and Roman temples. During the Renaissance and subsequent Baroque and Rococo periods, new and more complex shapes were introduced. Regardless of their shape or complexity, pediments remain a low-pitched form. 3a. Height to Width Ratio. A pediment’s height to width ratio depends on its size.
What is a pediment raking cornice?
In a pediment, the raking cornice is the cornice set at an angle. Using the NYSE’s pediment as an example below, it can be seen that the corona and bed mouldings should be doubled up and included in both the raking cornice and the horizontal cornice. However, the cyma should not be included in the horizontal cornice of the pediment, but only in the raking cornice.
How many columns should be used for pediments above doors?
However, a column on either side of the door or window can be inferred. Therefore for pediments above doors or windows, two columns should be used in the above equation resulting in a height to width ratio of approximately 0.25. 3d. Pediment Variations.
How does height to width affect pediments?
A pediment’s height to width ratio depends on its size. Large pediments that are too high can quickly become overpowering and visually too top heavy. Meanwhile, if small pediments do not have enough height, they can appear diminutive. Therefore, as pediments become larger, their height to width ratio should decrease.
Can a pediment have a broken apex?
For example, a pediment might have a broken apex with a standard base, or a recessed apex with a recessed base, or a recessed apex with a broken base. The following table illustrates these combinations.
Why do we use pediments?
For today's homeowners, creating a pediment is a rather simple, inexpensive way to add decoration — usually over a door or window.
What is a pediment in antiques?
Because the word describes a shape, it is often used to describe man-made and natural shapes. In geology, a pediment is a sloping formation caused by erosion.
What is a segmental pediment?
Segmental Pediment: Also called round or curved pediments, segmental pediments contrast with triangular pediments in that they have a round cornice replacing two sides of the traditional triangular pediment. A segmental pediment might complement or even be called a curvilinear tympanum. 4.
What is the pediment in a temple?
Originally the pediment had a structural function. As the Jesuit priest Marc-Antoine Laugier explained in 1755, the pediment is one of only three essential elements of what Laugier called the basic primitive hut. For many Greek temples, first made of wood, the triangular geometry had a structural function.
What is a pediment in architecture?
A pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable originally found on temples in ancient Greece and Rome. Pediments were reinvented during the Renaissance and later imitated in Greek Revival and Neoclassical house styles of the 19th and 20th centuries.
What is the space between a pediment and a doorway called?
The space within a pediment is sometimes called the tympanum, although this word more commonly refers to the Medieval-era arch areas over a doorway decorated with Christian iconography. In residential architecture, pediments are commonly found above windows and doorways.
What type of pediment is absent or nearly absent?
4. Open Pediment: In this type of pediment, the usual strong horizontal line of the pediment is absent or nearly absent.
Why are pediments important?
Some used to protect windows and openings from weather.
What are pediments in architecture?
Pediments are gables, usually of a triangular shape. They are found in ancient Greek architecture as early as 600 BC (e.g. the archaic Temple of Artemis ). Variations of the pediment occur in later architectural styles such as Classical, Neoclassical and Baroque. Gable roofs were common in ancient Greek temples with a low pitch (angle of 12.5° to 16°). Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the lintel, or entablature, if supported by columns. The tympanum, the triangular area within the pediment, is often decorated with a pedimental sculpture which may be freestanding or a relief sculpture. The tympanum may hold an inscription, or in modern times, a clock face. A pediment is sometimes the top element of a portico. For symmetric designs, it provides a center point and is often used to add grandness to entrances.
What is a broken pediment?
A variant is the "segmental" or "arch" pediment, where the normal angular slopes of the cornice are replaced by one in the form of a segment of a circle, in the manner of a depressed arch. Both traditional and segmental pediments have "broken" and "open" forms. In the broken pediment the raking cornice is left open at the apex. The open pediment is open along the base – often " sculpture, " tondo " paintings, mirrors or windows. These forms were adopted in Mannerist architecture, and applied to furniture designed by Thomas Chippendale. The terms "open pediment" and "broken pediment" are often used interchangeably. Another variant is the swan's neck pediment and is a refinement of a broken pediment with two "S"-shaped profiles resembling a swan's neck. Non-triangular variations of pediments are usually found over doors, windows, and porches.
What is the name of the pediment in the Madeleine Church?
Rococo pediment of the Erbdrostenhof ( Münster, Germany) Louis XVI pediment of the Théâtre de la reine, part of the Petit Trianon (France) Neoclassical pediment of the Madeleine Church ( Paris ), with sculpture from the pediment (1830-1837) by Pierre-Jean David depicting St Geneviève.
Why did pediments not fit on the roof?
The form of the pediment is dictated by the primary function of the roof which in several areas is the dismissal of rainwater.
What is a swan's neck pediment?
Another variant is the swan's neck pediment and is a refinement of a broken pediment with two "S"-shaped profiles resembling a swan's neck.
Where are pediments found?
The pediment is found in classical Greek temples, Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts architecture. A prominent example is the Parthenon, where it contains a tympanum decorated with figures in relief sculpture. This architectural element was developed in the architecture of ancient Greece and first appeared as gable ends of Greek temples. In ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and later architectural revivals, the pediment was used as a non-structural element over windows, doors and aediculae. Some used to protect windows and openings from weather. As classical architecture moved to Britain during the Renaissance, pediments wouldn't fit with the steeply pitched roofs and became detached from the structure to only create an impression. The form of the pediment is dictated by the primary function of the roof which in several areas is the dismissal of rainwater.
Where is the pediment found?
There is frequently a sharp break of slope between the pediment and the steeper hillside above it.
What is the slope of a pediment?
The angle of a pediment’s slope is generally from 0.5° to 7°.
Why are pediments important in Greek temples?
This is what many people associate it with to this day. In Greek temples, the pediment not only helped to visually harmonize the geometric shapes of the building, it was actually an important structural element of the roof as well. Greek temples have low-pitched, gabled roofs.
What is the pediment in a temple called?
The pediment is often surrounded with a protruding molding called the cornice, adding visual depth to the structure. The flat, vertical surface contained within the cornice is known as the tympanum. In most Greek temples, the tympanum was decorated with elaborate, carved reliefs of gods, heroes, or even monsters.
What is a pediment with the bottom cornice removed called?
That's not the only way that architects have found to alter the traditional pediment. A pediment with the bottom cornice removed is called open, while a pediment with cornices that don't touch at the apex of the triangle is broken and a pediment with an arched upper cornice is segmental.
What pediment was used in the Renaissance?
In the Baroque era, which followed the Renaissance, architects took the strict, formal, linearity of the Roman-style pediment and added curves, spirals, scrolls, and other decorative elements to the cornice. The traditionally triangular pediment became re-envisioned in a variety of shapes during the fanciful and ornate Baroque.
What is a broken pediment?
In Classical architecture, the pediment is the traditionally triangular section at the top of a temple's entrance. This form was introduced by the ancient Greeks.
What style of pediments were used in the Italian Renaissance?
The Italian Renaissance was the first time that this became popular, but the various neoclassical styles of the 18th and 19th centuries also made heavy use of ornamental, Roman-style pediments. The other trend in pediments was sustained by those who basically wanted to take the Roman formula and mess it up.
Which eras used the same pediment?
Later Roman-inspired styles, including those of the Renaissance and later neoclassical eras, generally use this same shape of pediment. Others, notably those influenced by the ornate Baroque era, tend to break apart the pediment, adding curves and additional decorations, as well as breaking apart the cornice.
What is pedimento in Mexico?
In Mexico, the pedimento is the most relevant custom form that importers or exporters use during the importation or exportation of their goods. The pedimento can only be completed by the Mexican customs broker (Agente Aduanal) at the request of the importer or exporter.
What information is required to complete a pedimento?
The instructions for completing the pedimento require knowing specific information about the goods such as: description, quantity, classification, origin, value, weight, and size. This includes the parties involved, such as the importer, exporter, customs broker, freight forwarder, as well as the places involved, such as, the port of entry, place of delivery, place of shipment, and the use of free trade agreements, among other information. Depending on the type of customs operation, however, not all of these requirements may apply.
What information do you need to import pedimentos in Mexico?
Therefore, whenever a company in Mexico purchases previously imported goods, it must make sure it has the complete information about the importation such as pedimento’s number, date, and place of importation. Preferably, the importer should request a copy of the form.
Can a pedimento be one page?
Even though the pedimento can be reduced to one- page document, the instructions for completing it are lengthy, and tend to be complex. Instead of just listing general information on the form, specific codes must be used. For example, if a pedimento is being completed for a temporary importation of goods for use during a convention, ...
What is a Pediment?
What is a pediment? Pediment definition: A pediment is a triangular gable—a wall that extends to fill the space underneath the two slopes of a pitched roof—which is an element of Classical and Neoclassical architecture.
Pediments in Greek Architecture
Pediment architecture was an aesthetic and structural element of the Greek temple. It contributed to the proportional harmony and symmetry associated with Classical architecture while at the same time helping to support the roof of the temple. Greek temple roofs were pitched, meaning they slope down on either side.
Types of Pediments
Pediments have been used in many architectural styles since the ancient Greeks. Whereas the Greeks used the pediment as a primary structural element, the Romans used pediments as decorative elements above windows, doors, and niches.
Use of Pediments
Examples of Pediments
- The Pantheon in Rome proves just how far back in time pediments were used — at least 126 A.D. But pediments were around before that, as can be seen in ancient cities around the world, like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, Jordan,the Nabataean caravan city influenced by Greek and Roman rulers. Whenever architects and designers turn to ancient Greece and Rome for ideas, th…
Other Uses of The Word "Pediment"
- Antique dealers will often use the word "pediment" to describe an ornate flourish in Chippendale-era furniture. Because the word describes a shape, it is often used to describe man-made and natural shapes. In geology, a pediment is a sloping formationcaused by erosion.
Five Types of Pediments
- 1. Triangular Pediment: The most common pediment shape is the pointed pediment, a triangle framed by a cornice or ledge, with the apex at the top, two symmetrical straight lines sloping to the ends of a horizontal cornice. The "rake" or angle of the slope can vary. 2. Broken Pediment: In a broken pediment, the triangular outline is non-continuous, open at the top, and without a point …
Pediments For The 21st Century
- Why do we use pediments? They give a sense of tradition to a home, in the Western Classical architecture sense. Also, the geometric design itself is innately pleasing to the human senses. For today's homeowners, creating a pediment is a rather simple, inexpensive way to add decoration — usually over a door or window. Have pediments gone sideways? Today's modern skyscraper arc…
Sources
- American House Styles: A Concise Guideby John Milnes Baker, AIA, Norton, 1994, p. 175
- Architecture through the Agesby Talbot Hamlin, Putnam, Revised 1953, pp. 444, 427, 331
- Furniture with broken pedimentAgostini/A. Dagli Orti/Getty Images (cropped)
- Broken Pediment on Residential PorticoRichard Leo Johnson/Getty Images (cropped)
