Dictionary of Moisture Protection & Restoration

122

mascaron =

The representation of a face,

partly human head, more or

less caricatured, used as an

architectural ornament.

Medallion molding =

A molding consisting of a

series of medallions, ex-

ample of Norman arch-

itecture.

mission architecture =

Church and monastic architec-

ture of Spanish religious or-

ders, especially in the Ameri-

cas in the 18

century, display-

ing considerable regional

variation as a result of influ-

ences of skills of local laborers

and the availability of con-

struction materials; relatively unadorned in some

regions but considerably more elaborate in oth-

ers, often with ornamentation imitative of the

elaborate and lavish Baroque style.

Mission ar-

chitecture exhibits many of the following charac-

teristics: thick massive walls of adobe brick, laid

with lime mortar where available, commonly

with wall buttresses to provide additional stabil-

ity. The adobe walls are usually coated with

lime-and-sand stucco to reduce the effect of ero-

sion; tampered earth floors, decorated with

square tile, arcaded walkways with arches built

around the patios, a belfry, bell tower, or twin

bell towers, thatched or tile roofs and grilles cov-

ering the windows facing the street.

mascaron

medallion molding

mission

architecture