The upper fillet is of less projection than the lower extremity of curved profile. The extreme projection being merely equal to the height of curve and that of the upper fillet about one-half, the fillet being about one-fifth the total height.
The Facia
The foregoing constitute the range of mouldings with curved profiles, but there is another member, the Facia, that is an important feature in composition.
The Facia, which is rectilinear in form with external face vertical or slightly inclined, may be classed with the binding mouldings.
With regard to proportion, the height of the Facia should either exceed or be less than that of the curved moulding with which it is invariably surmounted. The projection being either considerably less or more than its height.
When used in the cornice or in the capping of pedestals its under face is generally recessed, this recess being equal to the height of the top fillet of supporting moulding.
Only occasionally the Facia is furnished with an upper fillet (for instance, when it occurs immediately below the Cyma Recta) to which it is reconciled by a Cavetto curve.
The Facia is a divisional feature between the mouldings of curved profile to which it is in valuable contrast.
Decoration of Mouldings
Mouldings may be plain or decorated, usually by carving, the details probably being derived from the painted decoration of an early period.