Ornamental woodwork in historic buildings may be otherwise understood as the appropriate architectural proportions of interior ornament carved from wood. The definition of the word “ornament” is understood to be “something that lends grace or beauty; a manner or quality that adorns”(Merriam Webster, def. 2). Therefore, the type of wood utilized and level of detail will influence the overall aesthetic and quality of an ornamental carving. In most cases, ornamental woodwork has an underlying structural function or purpose which has been subsequently adorned on the face. This quality of construction is emphasized by Owen Jones’s first principle which states that “The Decorative Arts arise from, and should properly be attendant upon, Architecture.” Below are a few types of ornamental woodwork one may be able to identify in any construction from a historic home to a church.
1) Entablature
Entablature at the Henry Ford Estate after wood conservation and cleaning
a. Cornice
Projecting molding which finishes or crowns the top of a building, wall, or arch. Top part of the entablature. Practical exterior function to aid in drainage of rainwater.
b. Frieze
Middle portion of the entablature. Typically a long horizontal band which often incorporates decoration
c. Architrave
Lowest part of the entablature.
2) Paneling
A treatment or design, typically rectangular in pattern, usually applied to walls, ceilings, doors, and even furniture. The level of ornamentation to the panels will vary depending on the grandeur of the interior.
3) Wainscot
Examples of ornamental wainscot, chair rail, and wainscot cap in the Henry Ford Estate
An area of wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls of a room.
4) Chair rail or Wainscot Cap
A chair rail is a horizontal molding or trim that runs around the room about 30-36 inches from the floor. The top molding of the wainscot is called a wainscot cap and may also serve as a chair rail to protect the wall from furniture moving up against the wall.
5) Baseboard
Example of a decorative baseboard
A projecting molding or band of moldings near the bottom of a wall; it is sometimes placed immediately on top of the plinth, and sometimes a short distance above it, in which case the intervening space is frequently paneled in circles and quatrefoils.
6) Door and window surrounds
The entire architectural frame that surrounds a door or window including framing, casing, borders, and ornamental features.
7) Casing (Door & Window)
The molding that frames the door or window and serves to transition the doorway to the wall surface. May be simple or ornamental.
8) Stiles & Rails
a. Stiles:
The vertical lines of a door that form the center and outer edges to which hardware such as latches and hinges are mounted.
b. Rails:
The horizontal lines of a door that connect the styles and hold the panels in place.
Together, the stiles and rails hold the door paneling secured and in place.
9) Rosettes
Square or round pattern with a central floral motif.
10) Balusters and Balustrades; Stair and newel posts
a. Balusters:
a railing of small posts tipped by a coping. Typically employed in the construction of staircases, railings, roofs, etc.
b. Balustrades:
are the handrail supported by balusters; any of the small posts that support the upper rail of a railing, as in a staircase or porch rail.
11) Columns and Pilasters
Close-up of a decorative column at the First Church of Christ
a. Column:
the architectural support that holds the weight of the building above. Composed of three basic elements: base, shaft, and capitol.
b. Capital:
The decorative cap which finishes the top of a column and provides a platform of support for the weight above.
c. Pilasters:
are columns which are incorporated into the wall and only project partially.
12) Trusses and Ribs
Trusses and ribs at the Thomas Aquinas Chapel
A truss is a structural framework composed of interconnected elements, typically arranged in triangular units, that work together to support loads and distribute forces efficiently.
13) Tracery
Tracery at the Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist
Tracery is a decorative element that can be made out of stone or wood to form patterns in windows, screens, panels, etc.
14) Statuary
Ornamental statuary on the ceiling in the St. Catherine Church
Wood statuary may be included within the framework of the architectural structure as in the image of the St. Catherine Church ceiling to the left or free standing within the interior. Wood statuary may be preferred to marble for a number of reasons including general costs but also, the overall aesthetic of the interior.
It is important to note that these architectural elements may also be constructed from stone, plaster, and other composite materials. Wood carving offers an interior a certain quality and effect. Understanding the construction, function, and symbolism of carved wood is integral to the restoration process. Therefore, the type of wood selected for these different items will vary depending on intended use, stability, softness, grain, and so on. Ornamental woodwork introduces sophistication, complexity, and warmth to an interior. Each interior is different based on the type of wood and finishes applied which requires a firm understanding of the interior’s purpose and intent. This basic outline with supporting images will help to identify ornamental woodwork in historic interiors.
For more information on types of wood used in ornamental carving click here.
