Architrave vs. Cornice — What's the Difference?

In classical architecture, an architrave (; from Italian: architrave "chief beam", also called an epistyle; from Greek ἐπίστυλον epistylon "door frame") is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of columns. The term can also apply to all sides, including the vertical members, of a frame with mouldings around a door or window.

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.

The lowermost part of an entablature in classical architecture, resting directly on top of the columns. Also called epistyle.

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

The molding around a door or window.

The uppermost part of an entablature.

(architecture) The lowest part of an entablature; rests on the capitals of the columns.

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

(architecture) The moldings (or other elements) framing a door, window or other rectangular opening.

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

The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column, esp. in classical architecture. See Column.

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

The molding around a door or window

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

The lowest part of an entablature; rests immediately on the capitals of the columns

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

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

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

(transitive) To furnish or decorate with a cornice.

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.

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

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

The topmost projecting part of an entablature

Furnish with a cornice