438 



RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE. 



tions. A definitely architec- 

 tural treatment reasserts itself 

 (Fig. 416). The walls are 

 once more finished by an 

 unbroken horizontal cornice ; 

 they are divided into tall 

 rectangular panels (Fig. 420), 

 and enriched bands of the 

 types above-mentioned, or 

 with some variant on the 

 honeysuckle pattern, are much 

 used. Ornament is symmetri- 

 cally disposed and strictly 

 confined within its frames of 

 regular geometrical shape. 

 Chimney-pieces remain low 

 and small, a mere shelf and 

 frieze supported on consoles 

 of slight projection, terms or 

 term-like columns, and are 

 surmounted by large mirrors 

 (Figs. 417, 418, and 420). 

 The already small fire space 

 is further diminished by intro- 

 ducing inside the marble a 

 decorated metal coving. Even 

 in smaller apartments, with 

 wood panelling, and ornament 

 executed in wood or carton- 

 pierre, the half conventional 

 foliage of bay, olive, and 

 myrtle is common, but here 

 it is mingled with a freer more 

 naturalesque vegetation than 

 where the material is stone. 



In the more formal manner an upright oak bough or lily stem forms 

 the centre of a circular panel (Fig. 405) ; crossed sprays of myrtle or 

 jasmine are spaced out along a frieze ; narrow panels are decorated 

 either with a pair of light sprays of myrtle or ivy so interlaced as to 

 form a series of vesica-shapes, or else with a series of tassel-like knots 

 of foliage or bell-like flowers issuing one from the other (Figs. 417 and 

 418). But besides these are dainty swags and garlands of tiny flowers, 

 roses and anemones, marigolds and daisies, treated with as great delicacy 

 and freedom as in the rococo style. 



419. ARABESQUE BY RANSON. 



