anthemion

American  

[an-thee-mee-uhn] / ænˈθi mi ən /

noun

anthemia plural

1. an ornament of floral forms in a flat radiating cluster, as in architectural decoration, vase painting, etc.

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anthemion British  

/ ænˈθiːmɪən /

noun

1. a floral design, used esp in ancient Greek and Roman architecture and decoration, usually consisting of honeysuckle, lotus, or palmette leaf motifs

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• anthemia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of anthemion

1860–65; < Greek anthémion, equivalent to ánthem ( on ) flower + -ion diminutive suffix; see antho-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anthemion anthemia

The most characteristic feature of Greek ornament is the anthemion, a conventionalized flower form resembling our honeysuckle bud, which was usually alternated with the lotus or lily form bud.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887 by Various

Furniture coverings were very bright satins and velvets brocaded with the Emperor's favorite emblems, the bee, torch, wreath, anthemion.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot

There was always a combination of the straight line and the curve, a strong feeling of balance, and a profusion of ornament in the way of scrolls, garlands, shells, the acanthus, anthemion, etc.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot

Ridge tiles covered the joints, and the lower end of each ridge terminated in an anthemion.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.

Moulding with anthemion, plait, maeander, and leaf, bead and reel patterns.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.

On the north side of the pilaster, seven inches of the bead and reel moulding immediately surmounting the anthemia have been skilfully inserted in a groove and fastened with lead.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.

On the second slab from the left, one tongue of the egg and tongue moulding, one piece of spiral connecting the anthemia and one bead were let into the marble.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.