Greek
Erechtheion: Egg and Dart Cornice
Description:
ERECHTHEION: The building was constructed from 421 to 406 BC on the Acropolis of Athens. As one of the most decorative temples in Greek Architecture, it was built to replace the Temple of Athena, Nike. The name of the temple comes from its dedication to the Greek hero Ericthonius, or perhaps King Erectheus. On major feature of the Erechtheion is the porch of caryatids, often called the “Porch of the Maidens,” where six female figures are sculpted as supporting columns. The temple has two porches- a porch with caryatids and a porch with ionic columns.
Architectural elements of cast taken from the Erechtheion. As seen in the previous cast of the Corner Detail from Erectheion, the “egg and dart cornice” replicates a detail from the temple’s frieze and columns. The Egg and Dart cornice are modeled after those that decorated the Porch of the Maidens which appeared on the south side of the original temple. In the photograph of the Caryatids, the egg and dart cornice lines the marble platform.
Period of Original: Greek
Origin of Original: Greece
Location of the Cast: 20 W. 44 St. New York, NY USA
Provenance: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Condition: N/A
Additional Information:
Detail of Wall Crown
Caryatids
Photograph Entrance Columns
Photograph Entrance Columns with Sixth Repaired
Plan of Erechtheion
