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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of egg and dart

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

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

The rims were ornamented with chased or cast patterns, scallops, leaves, egg and dart and wall of Troy: four patterns, showing that they were pairs.

From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas

Top of stel�, in form of a capital of a pilaster with a palmette between two volutes springing from acanthus leaves, and an egg and dart moulding.

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

Add another quantity, and we get the rich effect of the egg and tongue or egg and dart moulding.

From Line and Form (1900) by Crane, Walter

The tablet is crimson with a violet-slate frame moulding of egg and dart pattern.

From Illuminated Manuscripts by Bradley, John William