Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1033

 LXTERlOIl FINISHING OF VILLAS. 1009 to persons or things foreign to it. For example, in one window, figures might appear as if looking out at some object, and conversing about it ; another window might represent part of the interior of a room with its occupants, and, indeed, where the panels or fjilse windows filled with sculpture are numerous, they might indicate the uses of the different descriptions of rooms within. Thus, one blank window might represent some cha- racteristic of a dining-room, another of a librarj', or of a drawingroom, a staircase, &c. This is in perfect accordance with the original uses of sculptures in low relief, which, according to Quatremere de Quincy, were originally a sort of writing, or hieroglyphics, or signs ; and came at last to be improved into classical compositions. 1999. JfJiere Sculptures in relief are to be placed in panels so much smaller than windows as never to be mistaken for them, the size of the figures may be proportionably small. Reliefs of this kind may be classed with those employed by Arcliitects in de- corating friezes ; and they ludy be inti-oduced with excellent eflPect in a variety of posi- tions, where it is desirable to enhance the interest of a particular part of the elevation, or to oppose great richness of decoration to simplicity of form. Even single portraits, in the manner of alto relievo busts, may be introduced in some parts of the exteriors of buildings; such as over an entrance door, over windows, in the tympanum of pediments, in gable ends, &c. 2000. Armorial Sculptures are particularly suitable for the diflTerent varieties of Gothic Ai'chitecture, and in no other style can so much interest be created with so little exertion of skill or expense. The simple form of the shield, which any mason can execute, has alone, from the train of historical associations connected with it, a powerful effect. The cross, whether in complete or in partial relief, is also an object of great interest in the Gothic style. The same may be said of the fleur de lis, and other forms used in armorial bearings. 2001. Other Decorations, such as vases, urns, chimney-tops, tiles, rusticated stones, and sculptured bricks, or weather-tiling in imitation of bricks, have been already suf- ficiently noticed in preceding sections, 200'i. The Subject of outside Blinds has also, § 554 to § 560, been treated of; but we shall here describe the mechanism of what is considered the best description of cloth outside blind. Fig. 1807 is a view of a bonnet blind let down as far as it will go, the lower 1806 B*6 and projecting part being what is denominated the bonnet; and fig. 1806 a view of the same blind drawn up nearly to the top. In the former figure, a represents one of the 6 c