The frieze, in classical architecture, is the space between the architrave
and cornice in a room. The frieze was popular in the Victorian period (mid to
late 19th century), during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) in England.
The high ceilings (about 9 feet, or 2.7 metres) were decorated with a line
of colour and design – usually about 9-18 inches (23-45 centimetres) wide. It
was introduced for two main reasons: (1) to divide the wall to balance its
proportions, and (2) to bring the eye down from the ceiling – particularly for
rooms that did not have ceiling frescos, paintings, or elaborate chandeliers
and light fittings.
The area of decoration (the band – or frieze) was hand-painted, stencilled,
plastered, and later wall-papered. If there was a picture railing, often the
band of decoration would be above the railing. With lower ceilings the trend
for friezes diminished. Sometimes the frieze was lowered considerably to below
eye height.
Painting interior door panels was time-consuming and expensive, and thus
rarely used in people’s homes – but they would often be seen in stately homes
and palaces.
The Art Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia, an art gallery and museum for Georgian theatre,
music, cinema, and photography, thankfully, continues the practice of hand-painted
freizes and door panels.
In addition, if you look to the ceiling, the artwork is quite impressive.
MARTINA NICOLLS is an international
aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of
Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet
(2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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