DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4263#0045
44 OF THE OCTOGON TOWER OF ANDRONICUS CYRRHESTES.
Fig. 4. A section of half the aforesaid roofa. A A, half the circular cavity on the top of the
roof. B, half the capital to be described at Fig. 5, placed in that circular cavity. The dotted line
C C is a continuation of the roof and supplies that part of it which is at present destroyed. This line
is drawn to shew how much of the capital marked B was originally concealed when the roof was
entire.
Fig. 5. The fragment of a capital marked B in the preceding figure, and which is in Plate XIV.
Fig. 1., is, with some restorations, made to support the conical marble and the triton. We
found it, when we first arrived at Athens, thrown out of its place but still lying on the lower part of
the roof of this tower; from whence some of the dervishes children afterwards rolled it down : it now
serves for a seat, and is placed at the dervishes door. But it is obvious that it stood originally as we
have represented it in Plate XIV. Fig. 1, and Fig. 2, and also in Fig. 4. of the present plate. For
the lower part of it marked B, though rudely wrought, is round, and exactly fits the circular cavity
on the top of the roof marked A A in the two preceding figures. Besides, if we place it in this
cavity, and complete the upper surface of the roof by continuing the dotted line C C, Fig. 4. till it
intersect this fragment, the round ruder part of it which was concealed by the roof, will, by that in-
tersection, be exactly divided from the more finished octogonal part which was exposed to view. It
may likewise be observed, that the octogonal form of this part of the capital, does in a particular man-
ner render it an ornament perfectly suitable to the place assigned it; since on that account, its angles
would properly coincide with the divisions of the roof, and its faces would correspond with those of
this octogon tower.
PLATE XVI.
Fig. 1. The capital and entablature of the portico before the door.
Fig. 2. A fragment of the dentells belonging to the cornice of this entablature.
Fig. 3. The profile of the cornice belonging to the circular projection under the figure of
NOTOS. This cornice, an astragal only excepted, is composed of the same mouldings with that of
the entablature.
Concerning Fig. 1. it has already been observed that considerable remains of both the columns
standing before the north-west door, were discovered in their original situation; they are without
bases, and their flutings are singular. The fragment of a capital of the species here represented, was
found on digging about this building. It corresponds as well to the fragment on the top of the roof,
as to the general style of ornament which prevails throughout this tower. Such capitals are frequent
as well at Athens as in the other parts of Greece. Although we do not find that any example of them
has been hitherto published.
The authorities for the entablature are as follow: the architrave and frize are taken from the
stone, a section of which covered with dotts is given in the following plate. The vestiges of four such
stones are still remaining, one end of each is visible on the inside of the tower, for they are inserted
the whole thickness of the wall; the other ends, broken as they are, do nevertheless project somewhat
from the surface of the wall, and retain very perfectly the profile of the architrave and frize.
* This roof considering the great boldness of its construction
is of inconsiderable elevation. It consists of 24 blocks of equal
sized marble which diminish and incline to a centre, where
they abut on a circular marble forming a sort of key which sup-
ported the triton. The joints are very accurately worked, and
the under side of each block, is in one plane excepting at its
springing, where it is curved downwards to unite with the per-
pendicular. The outside of each block is cut into the resem-
blance of tiles, and the joint edge of each is raised as if to re-
ceive the harmus or joint tile, which no doubt formerly covered
these joints, as in other Grecian edifices. The custom of imitat-
ing the tile construction of roofs for the purpose of ornament in
marble, was frequently resorted to; it is to be observed on the
lids or covers of marble soroi, or tombs, when of one block, in
many parts of Greece. We do not trace any distinct feeling of
the principle of the arch in this monument. [m-]
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Fig. 4. A section of half the aforesaid roofa. A A, half the circular cavity on the top of the
roof. B, half the capital to be described at Fig. 5, placed in that circular cavity. The dotted line
C C is a continuation of the roof and supplies that part of it which is at present destroyed. This line
is drawn to shew how much of the capital marked B was originally concealed when the roof was
entire.
Fig. 5. The fragment of a capital marked B in the preceding figure, and which is in Plate XIV.
Fig. 1., is, with some restorations, made to support the conical marble and the triton. We
found it, when we first arrived at Athens, thrown out of its place but still lying on the lower part of
the roof of this tower; from whence some of the dervishes children afterwards rolled it down : it now
serves for a seat, and is placed at the dervishes door. But it is obvious that it stood originally as we
have represented it in Plate XIV. Fig. 1, and Fig. 2, and also in Fig. 4. of the present plate. For
the lower part of it marked B, though rudely wrought, is round, and exactly fits the circular cavity
on the top of the roof marked A A in the two preceding figures. Besides, if we place it in this
cavity, and complete the upper surface of the roof by continuing the dotted line C C, Fig. 4. till it
intersect this fragment, the round ruder part of it which was concealed by the roof, will, by that in-
tersection, be exactly divided from the more finished octogonal part which was exposed to view. It
may likewise be observed, that the octogonal form of this part of the capital, does in a particular man-
ner render it an ornament perfectly suitable to the place assigned it; since on that account, its angles
would properly coincide with the divisions of the roof, and its faces would correspond with those of
this octogon tower.
PLATE XVI.
Fig. 1. The capital and entablature of the portico before the door.
Fig. 2. A fragment of the dentells belonging to the cornice of this entablature.
Fig. 3. The profile of the cornice belonging to the circular projection under the figure of
NOTOS. This cornice, an astragal only excepted, is composed of the same mouldings with that of
the entablature.
Concerning Fig. 1. it has already been observed that considerable remains of both the columns
standing before the north-west door, were discovered in their original situation; they are without
bases, and their flutings are singular. The fragment of a capital of the species here represented, was
found on digging about this building. It corresponds as well to the fragment on the top of the roof,
as to the general style of ornament which prevails throughout this tower. Such capitals are frequent
as well at Athens as in the other parts of Greece. Although we do not find that any example of them
has been hitherto published.
The authorities for the entablature are as follow: the architrave and frize are taken from the
stone, a section of which covered with dotts is given in the following plate. The vestiges of four such
stones are still remaining, one end of each is visible on the inside of the tower, for they are inserted
the whole thickness of the wall; the other ends, broken as they are, do nevertheless project somewhat
from the surface of the wall, and retain very perfectly the profile of the architrave and frize.
* This roof considering the great boldness of its construction
is of inconsiderable elevation. It consists of 24 blocks of equal
sized marble which diminish and incline to a centre, where
they abut on a circular marble forming a sort of key which sup-
ported the triton. The joints are very accurately worked, and
the under side of each block, is in one plane excepting at its
springing, where it is curved downwards to unite with the per-
pendicular. The outside of each block is cut into the resem-
blance of tiles, and the joint edge of each is raised as if to re-
ceive the harmus or joint tile, which no doubt formerly covered
these joints, as in other Grecian edifices. The custom of imitat-
ing the tile construction of roofs for the purpose of ornament in
marble, was frequently resorted to; it is to be observed on the
lids or covers of marble soroi, or tombs, when of one block, in
many parts of Greece. We do not trace any distinct feeling of
the principle of the arch in this monument. [m-]
f a-^6 disbud
W
edi"1
c^'
\\
J. es'
m1
fthecorniCe.
plate -
^<,„nedo
!
1,01
BJesig«c"
PLA'
j*4. description
;^Cew\uchstiUre
Tuemouldings of th
as to preve
,;; of the tower
mice'.
1 cornice, ennc
: the second c<
- soffit on a le:
'Nsoueachside of tli
* fascia, mt
* entablature c
'^ k manner in
'JWof t
___'•' ' -■;■-■