The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.41

v1.c9.41

**Mouldings** : The principal mouldings used in Orissan temples are the fillet and the *astragal*, the former passing, by widening, into broad flat bands of which further mention will follow. The regular *cyma* of classical architecture (both the *recta* and the *reversa*) is also common. It has an easy, gentle, delicate curvatare, very different from its Roman form of two semicircles linked together. By diversified combinations with the preceding, and with tiles, narrow necks, and the ovolo, it produces many exquisite forms. The *chain*, the *nebule* and the *nail-head* mouldings of the Norman style have nowhere been met with, and the *rose* and the *dog’s-tooth* ornaments are invariably replaced by lotuses, open or in bud. The *hatched* and the *crenulated* mouldings may be seen in several places within the enclosure of the Great Tower, as also the *lozenge* and the *indented* forms, or what may be taken as such; but neither the *star* nor the *scallop*. Reference has already been made to the *guillochi* or interlacing circular moulding, (*ante* p. [17]); but it is by no means of very frequent occurrence. The most common is the *pellet* or *beaded* moulding; it occurs almost everywhere, and, by differences in size and arrangement, assumes very diversified forms.