A modillion is an ornate bracket, more horizontal in shape and less imposing than a corbel. They are often seen underneath a cornice which helps to support them. Modillions are more elaborate than dentils (literally translated as small teeth).[1] All three are selectively used as adjectival historic past participles (corbelled, modillioned, dentillated) as to what co-supports or simply adorns any high structure of a building, such as a terrace of a roof (a flat area of a roof), parapet, pediment/entablature, balcony, cornice band or roof cornice. Modillions occur classically under a Corinthian or a Composite cornice but may support any type of eaves cornice.[2] They may be carved or plain.
- ^ "Illustrated Glossary of Classical Architecture". doric-column.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ Bradley, Simon, ed. (2010), Pevsner's Architectural Glossary, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, p. 83, ISBN 978-0-300-16721-4