Cornice vs. Frieze — What's the Difference?

Exterior ornamental molding along the top of a building.

A horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration.

Used to throw water off a facade.

Often found in classical architecture.

A decorative molding at the meeting of walls and ceilings.

Used indoors for aesthetic emphasis.

Can be simple or highly decorative.

Decorative element above columns.

In curtain setups, conceals fixtures.

May depict historical or mythical narratives.

In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element – the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the top edge of a pedestal or along the top of an interior wall. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown, as in crown moulding atop an interior wall or above kitchen cabinets or a bookcase.

In architecture, the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Paterae are also usually used to decorate friezes.

A horizontal molded projection that crowns or completes a building or wall.

A broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling

The uppermost part of an entablature.

Heavy, coarse woollen cloth with a nap, usually on one side only.

A strip of molding that runs along the upper part of a wall just below the ceiling.

A plain or decorated horizontal part of an entablature between the architrave and cornice.

An ornamental horizontal molding or frame used to conceal rods, picture hooks, or other devices.

A decorative horizontal band, as along the upper part of a wall in a room.

An overhanging mass of windblown snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain.

A coarse, shaggy woolen cloth with an uncut nap.

To supply, decorate, or finish with or as if with a cornice.

A dense, low-pile surface, as in carpeting, resembling such cloth. In both senses also called frisé.

(architectural element) A horizontal architectural element of a building, projecting forward from the main walls, originally used as a means of directing rainwater away from the building's walls.

A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or tufted (friezed) nap on one side.

A decorative element applied at the topmost part of the wall of a room, as with a crown molding.

(architecture) That part of the entablature of an order which is between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, either uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched with figures and other ornaments of sculpture.

A decorative element at the topmost portion of certain pieces of furniture, as with a highboy.

Any sculptured or richly ornamented band in a building or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture.

An overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain and along the sides of gullies.

A banner with a series of pictures.

(transitive) To furnish or decorate with a cornice.

(transitive) To make a nap on (cloth); to friz.

Any horizontal, molded or otherwise decorated projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affixed; as, the cornice of an order, pedestal, door, window, or house.

To put a frieze on.

A decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing

That part of the entablature of an order which is between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, either uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched with figures and other ornaments of sculpture.

A molding at the corner between the ceiling and the top of a wall

A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or tufted (friezed) nap on one side.

The topmost projecting part of an entablature

An architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice

Furnish with a cornice

A heavy woolen fabric with a long nap

A frieze is a wide, central section of an entablature in classical architecture, often decorated with reliefs or paintings.

Cornices provide both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits like protection from water, whereas friezes are mainly decorative.

Historically, friezes were often carved from stone, but modern friezes can also be made from plaster, wood, or synthetic materials.

Yes, friezes are used in modern architecture, often as artistic elements that reflect contemporary themes and materials.

Cornices are prominent in classical, neoclassical, Victorian, and many modern architectural styles.

A cornice is an architectural feature located at the top of a building's walls or at the junction of a wall and ceiling, primarily for aesthetic enhancement and protection.

Cornices are made from a variety of materials including plaster, wood, and stone.

Placed at the top of a wall, a cornice helps to direct water away from the building's facade, protecting the walls.

Yes, friezes can be restored, although the process can be intricate, depending on the extent of damage and the materials involved.

Generally, a frieze may be more complex to install if it involves detailed sculptures or reliefs, compared to standard cornices.

In classical architecture, friezes often serve to convey narrative content, such as mythological battles or historical events.

Yes, there are both interior and exterior cornices, each serving different aesthetic and functional purposes.

Yes, as artistic and historical elements, friezes can significantly enhance the aesthetic value and appeal of a property.

Modern interior friezes might use contemporary themes and materials, acting as a focal point in a room's design.

Beyond aesthetics, cornices can help protect the structure from weather elements by preventing water ingress along the walls.