lacuna

views updated

lacuna (pl. lacunae). Literally a gap, applied to a Classical coffer in a ceiling, cornice-soffit, or any flat, level horizontal underside, a coffer under a cupola being a caisson. Lacunae are often elaborately ornamented with egg-and-dart, bead-and-reel, etc., and laquear is used to express the effect of mouldings separating the margins of panels in coffering.

More From encyclopedia.com