BOOK

Once the column is completed with its base and capital, the architrave, frieze, and cornice are to be placed above it. The architrave should be as high as the capital, and a sixth part of it shall be the fascia original: "fascia," a flat, horizontal band or strip. The frieze should be of the same height, and similarly the cornice with its members. After dividing the cornice into four parts: one shall be for its ovolo original: "Vuouolo," a rounded, egg-shaped molding, two for the corona original: "corona," the flat, projecting member of a cornice that sheds rain, and the remaining part shall be given to the fascia beneath it. The projection of the whole should be at least as much as its height; and in the underside of the corona, some small channels should be made—larger or smaller according to the work—at the discretion of the Architect.

But because this work is very solid and simple in its members, the Architect may, in my opinion, take the liberty of adding some members which seem naturally suited to such a species. This would be appropriate when one wishes to make the work more delicate, as can be seen in the separate part shown below. I also praise those coronas that have a projection greater than their square, provided the stones are capable of supporting themselves in the buildings; such projections provide both utility and decorum. Utility, because if walkways occur above them, they will be more spacious, and they will also preserve the work from rainwater. They provide decorum because, at the proper distance, the work will appear larger; and where the stone might lack thickness, the greater projection will compensate for it in appearance.

A detailed architectural diagram of a classical entablature, showing the profile of the cornice, frieze, and architrave. A central vertical section reveals a core structure, likely representing the internal masonry or support. Labels identify the specific architectural elements: 'Cymatium, called the ovolo' for the top molding; 'Corona, called the drip edge,' for the projecting drip edge; 'Cymatium, called the band,' for the molding above the frieze; 'Zophorus, called the frieze,' for the central decorative or plain band; 'Taenia, called the band or listel,' for the narrow band above the architrave; and 'Epistyle, called the architrave,' for the lowest structural beam.