Mascaron (architecture)

Mascarons, Cadiz, Spain

In architecture, a mascaron ornament is a face, usually human, sometimes frightening or chimeric whose function was originally to frighten away evil spirits so that they would not enter the building.^[1] The concept was subsequently adapted to become a purely decorative element. The most recent architectural style to extensively employ mascarons was Beaux Arts.^[2][3]

Gallery

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  Tartu, Estonia
• 
  Riga, Latvia
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  Riga, Latvia
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  Riga, Latvia
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  Moscow, Russia
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  Budapest, Hungary
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  Façade detail of Hôtel du Commandant Militaire (Dijon)

See also

• Chimera (architecture)
• Gargoyle
• Green Man
• Mask

References

1. "mascaron". Oxford Reference. oxfordreference.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
2. "BUCHAREST 1870S MASCARON". casedeepoca.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
3. "Art Nouveau in faces: fantasy world of "New art"". essenziale-hd.com. May 29, 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2016.

External links

• Art of Old Paris