A festoon (from
Frenchfeston,
Italianfestone, from a
Late Latinfesto, originally a festal garland, Latin festum, feast) is a
wreath or
garland hanging from two points, and in architecture typically a carved ornament depicting conventional arrangement of
flowers,
foliage or
fruit bound together and suspended by
ribbons.[2] The motif is sometimes known as a swag when depicting fabric or
linen.[3][4]
In modern English the verb forms, especially "festooned with", are often used very loosely or figuratively to mean having any type of fancy decoration or covering.
Origins and design
Its origin is probably due to the representation in stone of the garlands of natural flowers, etc., which were hung up over an entrance doorway on fête days, or suspended around an altar.[2][4]
The design was largely employed both by the
Ancient Greeks and
Romans and formed the principal decoration of altars,
friezes and panels.[4] The ends of the ribbons are sometimes formed into bows or twisted curves; when in addition a group of foliage or flowers is suspended, it is called a drop or
margent.[2]
The
motif was later used in
Neoclassical architecture and decorative arts, especially
ceramics and the work of
silversmiths. Variations on the exact design are plentiful; for example, the ribbons can be suspended either from a decorated
knot, or held in the mouths of
lions, or suspended across the tops of
bucrania as in the
Temple of Vesta at
Tivoli.
Louis XVI style festoons on a ceiling in the State Dining Room,
Inveraray Castle,
Scotland, the UK, by Girard and Guinand, 1784[10]
Neoclassical festoon on a vase, by the Sèvres Porcelain Factory, 1814, hard-paste porcelain with platinum background and gilt bronze mounts, Louvre[11]
Rococo Revival festoon on a stained-glass window in the
orangery of the Ecaterina Procopie House (Strada Bocșa no. 4), Bucharest, unknown architect or painter,
c.1912[17]
A festoon (from
Frenchfeston,
Italianfestone, from a
Late Latinfesto, originally a festal garland, Latin festum, feast) is a
wreath or
garland hanging from two points, and in architecture typically a carved ornament depicting conventional arrangement of
flowers,
foliage or
fruit bound together and suspended by
ribbons.[2] The motif is sometimes known as a swag when depicting fabric or
linen.[3][4]
In modern English the verb forms, especially "festooned with", are often used very loosely or figuratively to mean having any type of fancy decoration or covering.
Origins and design
Its origin is probably due to the representation in stone of the garlands of natural flowers, etc., which were hung up over an entrance doorway on fête days, or suspended around an altar.[2][4]
The design was largely employed both by the
Ancient Greeks and
Romans and formed the principal decoration of altars,
friezes and panels.[4] The ends of the ribbons are sometimes formed into bows or twisted curves; when in addition a group of foliage or flowers is suspended, it is called a drop or
margent.[2]
The
motif was later used in
Neoclassical architecture and decorative arts, especially
ceramics and the work of
silversmiths. Variations on the exact design are plentiful; for example, the ribbons can be suspended either from a decorated
knot, or held in the mouths of
lions, or suspended across the tops of
bucrania as in the
Temple of Vesta at
Tivoli.
Louis XVI style festoons on a ceiling in the State Dining Room,
Inveraray Castle,
Scotland, the UK, by Girard and Guinand, 1784[10]
Neoclassical festoon on a vase, by the Sèvres Porcelain Factory, 1814, hard-paste porcelain with platinum background and gilt bronze mounts, Louvre[11]
Rococo Revival festoon on a stained-glass window in the
orangery of the Ecaterina Procopie House (Strada Bocșa no. 4), Bucharest, unknown architect or painter,
c.1912[17]