Dentils
Dentils, which form a distinctive feature in cornices, are a series of rectilinear blocks, attached to a Facia, and may be placed in the category of supporting members.
In their formation they are carved back from a facia of the requisite projection.
In proportion they should be from one and a half to one and three quarters their width in height, the intervals between being about half the width.
The first Dentil at the angle, lines flush with the return face of supporting Facia leaving a right angular interval between the two end Dentils. This space is sometimes occupied by a pendant knob, acorn-like in shape. The heads of intervals are often sloped backwards and downwards, or occupied by a narrow fillet set back from face. Below the Dentils the supporting Facia is displayed to about the height of a fillet.
Considerable license prevailed in the later developments of the Renaissance in the decoration of mouldings, license which is permissible providing the general principle be borne in mind. The concensus of opinion is in favour of repetition of a simple unit and absence of variety. The vertical tendency resulting from the bi-symmetrical character of the unit is desirable, and in happy contrast to the horizontal direction of the moulding, while it also emphasises the sense of structural support.
DETAIL OF THE DENTIL
No. 136.
The profiles also are amenable to considerable variation, the curves being the direct result of Geometry, or Freehand, either treatment being a matter of attitude and discretion.