egg and dart

American  

noun

Architecture.

1. a design for enriching an ovolo or echinus, consisting of a closely set, alternating series of oval and pointed forms.

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egg and dart British  

noun

1. 1. an ornamental moulding in which a half egg shape alternates with a dart, tongue, or anchor shape

   2. ( as modifier )

      egg-and-dart moulding

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Etymology

Origin of egg and dart

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

They must not become a mere egg and bird pattern, like the egg and dart pattern.

From What's Wrong with the World by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

They are too fragmentary for restoration, but include bead and reel mouldings, egg and dart patterns, portions of palmette and lotus patterns of elaborate design.

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

Recurring Line and Form The everlastingly recurring egg and dart moulding and the volute are instances of the harmonious effect of very simple arrangements of recurring line and form.

From Line and Form (1900) by Crane, Walter

The ovolo about the marble facings of the fireplace bears the conventional bead and reel and egg and dart motives, the latter having a leaf design in alternation with the egg.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

An ovolo of conventional egg and dart motive with the customary bead and reel astragal outlines the black marble facings of the fireplace opening.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank