Cymatium

Cymatium, the uppermost molding at the top of the cornice in the classical order, is made of the s-shaped cyma molding (either cyma recta or cyma reversa), combining a concave cavetto with a convex ovolo.

It is characteristic of Ionic columns and can appear as part of the entablature, the epistyle or architrave, which is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of columns, and the capital itself.

Often the cymatium is decorated with a palmette or egg-and-dart ornament on the surface of the molding.

The projection of the cymatium beyond the abacus is not to be greater than the size of the diameter of the eye [of the volute].

In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, however, the types mixed, at the same time further refinement and embellishment with numerous details (acanthus, palmettes, medallions) took place.