This article is about the architectural moulding. For the genus of sea snails, see Cymatium (gastropod).
Cyma molding profile (left) and shadow pattern (right)
Cymatium, the uppermost molding at the top of the cornice in the classical order, is made of the s-shaped cyma molding (either cyma recta or cyma reversa), combining a concave cavetto with a convex ovolo. It is characteristic of Ionic columns and can appear as part of the entablature, the epistyle or architrave, which is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of columns, and the capital itself. Often the cymatium is decorated with a palmette or egg-and-dart ornament on the surface of the molding.
The heights of the parts of the capital are to be so regulated that three of the nine parts and a half, into which it was divided, lie below the level of the astragal on the top of the shaft. The remaining parts are for the cymatium, abacus, and channel. The projection of the cymatium beyond the abacus is not to be greater than the size of the diameter of the eye [of the volute].[1]
In the case of a concave-convex profile, a distinction is made between cyma recta and cyma reversa, with the cyma reversa, the inverted and therefore hanging cyma, being the usual form.
Originally, the individual types of cymatia were linked to the corresponding individual building codes and the associated ornament systems and in this way could be clearly distinguished from one another. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, however, the types mixed, at the same time further refinement and embellishment with numerous details (acanthus, palmettes, medallions) took place.[2]
^Vitruvius Pollio, Marcus. De architectura, Book III.
^Mattern, Torsten (2001). Gesims und Ornament : zur stadtrömischen Architektur von der Republik bis Septimius Severus. Münster: Scriptorium. ISBN 3-932610-11-3. OCLC 47680339.
Cymatium, the uppermost molding at the top of the cornice in the classical order, is made of the s-shaped cyma molding (either cyma recta or cyma reversa)...
Cymatium ranzanii is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae. Cymatium ranzanii (Bianconi, 1850). Retrieved...
Austrosassia parkinsonia is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae. Austrosassia parkinsonia (Perry, 1811)...
Cymatium femorale is a species of predatory sea snail in the family Cymatiidae. The maximum recorded shell length is 212 mm. Western Atlantic: Eastern...
into the soffit, the corona, and the cymatium. The soffit is simply the exposed underside. The corona and the cymatium are the principal parts of the cornice...
Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 6 December 2018. "Cymatium (Ranularia) pyrum". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010. Orr J. (1985)...
Species: M. klenei Binomial name Monoplex klenei (G.B. Sowerby III, 1889) Synonyms Cymatium klenei (Sowerby III, 1889) Triton klenei G.B. Sowerby III, 1889...
Cymatium tigrinum is a species of predatory sea snail in the family Cymatiidae. Cymatium tigrinum (Broderip, 1833). Retrieved through: World Register of...
[Shells of Gabon]. Pierre A. Bernard: Libreville, Gabon. 140, 75 plates "Cymatium (Turritriton) gibbosum kobelti". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010...
+ 61 pls Emerson W.K. & Old W.E. (1963). A new subgenus and species of Cymatium (Mollusca, Gastropoda). American Museum Novitates. 2137: 1-13 Gastropods...
parthenopeus from Pliocene of Italy Mollusc Specialist Group (2000). "Cymatium parthenopaeum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000: e.T6069A12386021...
shells of Dar es Salaam: Gastropods. Tanganyika Notes and Records 56 "Cymatium (Monoplex) gemmatum". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010. v t e...
Fauna From The Cape Verde Archipelago. Part 1, Polyplacophora and Gastropoda Gastropods.com ; Cymatium (Gelagna) succinctum; accessed : 7 November 2010...
Cymatium raderi is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae. Caribbean - N Brazil. The maximum recorded shell...
seen on Greek temples, carved or modelled in the marble or terracotta cymatium of the cornice. An excellent example of this are the 39 remaining lion-headed...
Vine, P. (1986). Red Sea Invertebrates. Immel Publishing, London. 224 pp. "Cymatium (Ranularia) exile". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010. v t e...
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