Cymatium

A kymation (Pl. Kymatia or Kymatien ), also known simply Kyma (from Greek κῦμα kyma "wave" ) is a continuous molding with friesartigem ornament, usually on walls or columns. It can be plastically worked out or even just painted and has predominantly stylized vegetal elements.

The following main types can be distinguished:

• The Doric kymation that is working relatively simple and concave, an undercut, but otherwise non-profiled strip with abstract leaf structures
• The ionic kymation with pronounced convex decorative elements for which especially the eggs bars are typical, plastic oval bodies, which are separated by narrow ridges hollow
• Lesbian kymation, the heart leaf motifs (water leaves or foliage heart ) with intermediate vertical bars shows and has strong ornamental character. His profile is concave - convex.

Originally, each type of Kymatia with the corresponding individual building codes and the associated Ornament systems were linked and clearly separated in this way from each other. In the Hellenistic and Roman period, however, the mixed types, at the same time was a further refinement and design with numerous details ( acanthus, palmettes, medallions ) instead.