architrave. 1. Essentially a formalized beam or
lintel, it is the lowest of the three main parts of an
entablature, itself often divided into
fasciae.
2. Antepagmentum consisting of plain or elaborate mouldings framing a doorway,
niche, panel, window-aperture, or other opening, properly with the same
section and number of
fasciae as on an entablature architrave. If the vertical mouldings of the architrave turn outwards horizontally as though at the ends of a lintel, then turn vertically, then run horizontally again across the top of the opening, they comprise an
eared, or
lugged, architrave; and if the vertical mouldings turn outwards horizontally, again as though at the ends of a lintel, then turn vertically, then run horizontally for a distance equal to the short vertical run, then drop vertically, then run horizontally along the top, they comprise a
shouldered architrave, and the projecting shoulders are called
crossettes. Architraves often stop against an
architrave-,
plinth-, or
skirting-block against which a
plinth or
skirting also stops. An architrave narrower at the top than at the bottom, i.e. with
battered sides, is called a
Vitruvian opening.
