cornice

A cornice is a projecting decorative moulding that crowns a wall, room, or piece of architecture. In architecture, it refers to the uppermost section of the entablature and to any projecting moulding that runs along the top of a façade or interior ceiling. Historically, cornices serve both a decorative function and a practical one by directing rain away from walls.

Exterior cornices are a key feature of classical and neoclassical architecture. They form the cap of the entablature and typically consist of a sequence of moldings that may include a bed mould, a corona (or cymatium), and a series of dentils or modillions. The design can be plain or highly ornamental and may emphasize transitions between wall, roof, and sky.

Interior cornices, or crown moldings, frame the junction of wall and ceiling. They vary in profile and complexity from simple flat mouldings to elaborate plaster or wood enrichments used in historic interiors. In some styles, the cornice helps conceal construction joints and lighting fixtures.

Materials and construction: cornices may be carved from stone or marble, cast in plaster, or manufactured from wood, fiber cement, or synthetic composites. In modern buildings, lightweight polyurethane or PVC cornices are common, designed for easy installation and maintenance.

Other uses: the term is also used for decorative lips on furniture and cabinetry, where a cornice tops a cabinet or mirror frame. The word is sometimes extended to roof edges called eaves in common speech, though architectural cornice refers specifically to the moulded finish.