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Ogee
Ogee
Ogee
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Two ogee curve examples with their extended S-shape, concave over convex (cyma recta), and convex over concave (cyma reversa), representing the cross-sections of two types of decorative moldings used in building[1][2]

An ogee (/oʊˈdʒiː/ /ˈoʊdʒiː/) is an object, element, or curve—often seen in architecture and building trades—that has a serpentine- or extended S-shape (sigmoid).[1]: 218  Ogees consist of a "double curve", the combination of two semicircular curves or arcs that, as a result of a point of inflection from concave to convex or vice versa,[1]: 218  have ends of the overall curve that point in opposite directions (and have tangents that are approximately parallel).

An ogee arch, showing the pair of component blocks on each side that constitute the "double curve" of the ogee, joined at its peak by a capstone.[1]: 218  The midpoint of the two blocks on each side that compose the ogee, the point at which the overall curve changes direction, is the inflection point referred to in the lead.

First seen in textiles in the 12th century, the use of ogee elements—in particular, in the design of arches—has been said to characterise various Gothic and Gothic Revival architectural styles.[1]: 218  The shape has many such uses in architecture from those periods to the present day, including in the ogee arch in these architectural styles,[1]: 218  where two ogees oriented as mirror images compose the sides of the arch,[3] and in decorative molding designs, where single ogees are common profiles (see opening image).[1] The term is also used in marine construction, particularly in shipbuilding, where ogee curves are used in hull design to improve hydrodynamics.[4] The word was sometimes abbreviated as o-g as early as the 18th century,[1]: 218  and in millwork trades associated with building construction, ogee is still sometimes written similarly (e.g., as O.G.).[citation needed]

Use in architecture

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Look up ogee in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Ogee arch

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Gothic ogee arch from the 1300s, over a tomb effigy in recess, in St. Mary the Virgin, Silchester, in the United Kingdom.[5][6]

In architecture, the principal use of the term is to describe an arch composed of two ogees, mirrored left-to-right and meeting at an apex.[3] First seen in textiles in the 1100s AD, the use of ogee elements, and in particular in the design of arches, has been said to characterise Venetian Gothic and Gothic Revival architectural styles.[1]: 218  Ogee arches were also a feature of English Gothic architecture in the later thirteenth century.[7]

Moulding

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A building's surface detailing, inside and outside, often includes decorative moulding, and these often contain ogee-shaped profiles—consisting (from low to high) of a concave arc flowing into a convex arc, with vertical ends; if the lower curve is convex and higher one concave, this is known as a Roman ogee, although frequently the terms are used interchangeably and for a variety of other shapes. Alternative names for such a Roman ogee moulding include cyma reversa and talon.[8]

An unorthodox ogee arch in Kilfane Church, Ireland (13th century)

The ogee curve is an analogue of a "cyma curve", the difference being that a cyma, or "cyma recta", has horizontal rather than vertical ends. The cyma reversa form occurs in antiquity. For example, in ancient Persia, the Tomb of Cyrus featured the cyma reversa.[9] The cyma reversa is also evident in ancient Greek architecture, and takes its name from the cymatium.[10][page needed] The ogee and Roman ogee profiles are used in decorative moulding, often framed between mouldings with a square section.[citation needed] As such, it is part of the standard classical decorative vocabulary, adopted from architrave and cornice mouldings of the Ionic order and Corinthian order.[citation needed]

Ogees are also often used in building interiors, in trim carpentry, for capping a baseboard or plinth elements, as a crown moulding trim piece where a wall meets a ceiling, and in similar fashion, at the tops of pieces of case furniture.[11]

Other uses

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Ogee clock, framed with ogee moulding.

Ogee is also a mathematical term, meaning an inflection point.[12] The term also gets used in steam locomotive design, referring to a specific shape of saddle tank on small shunting locomotives, such as the GER Class 209. In fluid mechanics, the term is used to refer to aerodynamic profiles that bear such shapes, e.g., as in the ogee profile of the Concorde supersonic aircraft.[13] As well, ogee curves are used to minimize water pressure on the downstream face of a dam spillway.[14]

In aesthetic facial surgery, the term is used to describe the malar or cheekbone prominence transitioning into the mid-cheek hollow.[15] The aim of a mid-face rejuvenation is to restore the ogee curve and enhance the cheekbones, common parts of routine facelift surgery.[16]

Manufactured objects with the ogee description

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Ogee is the name given to bubble-shaped chambers of pot stills that connect the swan neck to the still pot, in distillation apparatus, that allow distillate to expand, condense, and fall back into the still pot.[17]

"Ogee washers" are heavy washers used in fasteners that have a large load-bearing surface; they are used in marine timber construction to prevent bolt heads or nuts from sinking into the face of timbers.[18] The term ogee is used to describe the ogee shape giving rise to radial symmetry around the centre of the washer.[citation needed] Due to the size and shape of such washers, they are generally manufactured as a cast iron product (in accordance with ASTM A47 or A48).[citation needed]

"Ogee clocks" were a common type of weight-driven 19th-century pendulum clock presented in a simplified Gothic style, with the original design attributed to Chauncey Jerome.[19] Ogee clocks were typically made in the United States, as mantelpieces or to mount to a wall bracket,[20] and are one of the most commonly encountered varieties of American antique clocks.[citation needed] The overall design was rectangular, with framing by moulding with an ogee-profile surrounding a central glass door with a painted scene below the clock face, a door that protected the clock face and pendulum.[citation needed] Weights supported by pulleys fell inside the ogee moulding and so were hidden from view.[citation needed]

Ogee skirting boards and architraves

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In contemporary interior design, the ogee profile has been adapted for use in architectural finishing elements such as skirting boards and architraves. These products are typically manufactured from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and are designed to replicate the traditional double-curved (ogee) moulding profile in a modern, cost-effective form. The ogee skirting board provides a graceful transition between the floor and wall while also concealing minor surface imperfections, whereas ogee architraves are used to frame doorways and windows, lending a subtle classical detail to interior spaces.

For example, the "Ogee 1 MDF Skirting Board" available from MDF Skirting World exemplifies how the ogee profile is applied in contemporary building finishes. This product features a refined double-curved design that echoes traditional moulding aesthetics while meeting modern installation and durability standards. Variations in the profile—such as differences in depth, width, and curvature—allow designers to select products that suit a range of interior styles, from classical to modern minimalist.[21]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ogee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
An ogee is a double curve resembling the letter S, formed by the union of a concave and a convex line, often employed in architectural elements such as moldings and pointed arches. This S-shaped profile, also known as a cyma reversa, features a convex portion above and a concave portion below in cross-section, creating a form that adds decorative elegance to structures. The term derives from the period, with the earliest recorded use around 1356, likely stemming from ogive or augive, of uncertain origin possibly linked to augiva. In , the ogee motif has been a staple since the Gothic period, particularly in the Decorated style of the , where it defines ogee arches—pointed arches formed by the intersection of two reversed S-curves near the apex, typically used for ornamental rather than structural purposes. These arches characterize elements like window , doorways, and canopies in medieval European buildings, evoking a sense of flowing intricacy. Beyond arches, ogee profiles appear in crown moldings, baseboards, and bracketing, enhancing the visual rhythm of facades and interiors; for instance, ogee skirting boards feature this curve along their lower edge for subtle decoration. The ogee's versatility extends to furniture and design, where it forms parts of bracket feet or edge profiles, and in modern applications, it influences motifs in textiles and due to its balanced, repeating form. In , the ogee is used in structures like spillways for to manage water flow efficiently. Mathematically, it is defined as a compound formed by two arcs of different radii in reverse . While most prominent in Western Gothic and styles, the shape's undulating quality has parallels in various global decorative traditions, underscoring its enduring appeal in creating dynamic, harmonious lines.

Definition and History

Definition

An ogee is a double curve consisting of a concave arc joined to a convex arc, forming an elongated S-shape known as a sigmoid curve. This configuration creates a molding or profile where the upper portion is convex and the lower portion is concave, resulting in a smooth, continuous reversal of curvature. The ogee is often symmetrical about its , allowing for balanced proportions that emphasize fluidity in form. The visual properties of the ogee lie in its elegant transition between the opposing curvatures, producing flowing lines that convey grace and sophistication without abrupt changes in direction. Functionally, this shape facilitates seamless integration in profiles, enabling it to serve as a transitional element that connects straight sections harmoniously. In geometric terms, the ogee derives from circular arcs of varying radii, typically at their junction to maintain continuity. While related to other compound curves, the ogee—also termed cyma reversa—differs from the cyma recta, which features a concave arc above a convex one, leading to distinct proportional and aesthetic effects suitable for varied applications. This specificity in order sets the ogee apart, prioritizing a reversed flow that enhances its utility in creating pointed or ornamental motifs.

and Historical Origins

The term "ogee" derives from Middle English ogive (late 13th century), with "ogee" appearing as a variant around the late 17th century. It stems from ogive (attested in the 13th century), referring to a pointed arch or diagonal vault rib, ultimately tracing to ogiva or augiva of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Latin obviare ("to meet" or "to go against") or via ("way"), evoking the meeting of curves. This linguistic evolution reflects the shape's association with architectural elements where lines converge in an S-form, distinguishing it from earlier terms for simple curves. The ogee curve's historical origins lie in , where it emerged as a decorative motif in the , particularly in pointed arches and patterns that influenced later global designs, first appearing in textiles. Such S-shaped forms appeared in ornamental elements of the broader Islamic world, predating their widespread European adoption and contributing to the development of multifoil and ogee arches during Islam's architectural . By the 13th and 14th centuries, the ogee was integrated into European , initially for decorative purposes in and arches, marking a shift from structural to ornamental use in cathedrals and churches. Key milestones include the ogee's depiction in 14th-century medieval manuscripts, where it illustrated architectural motifs in illuminated borders and scenes of Gothic structures. Its proliferation occurred in English style from the late 14th century, featuring prominently in canopies, arches, and for enhanced verticality and intricacy. The form spread to and styles in the 16th and 17th centuries, evolving into moldings and profiles that emphasized fluidity in furniture and building details. This continued into the 19th-century Victorian Gothic revival, where ogee elements revived in public buildings and ecclesiastical designs.

Geometry

Curve Characteristics

The ogee curve features a distinctive profile formed by a concave section transitioning smoothly into a convex section, where the two meet at a point of tangency to create a continuous, flowing S-shape without abrupt angles. This configuration often relies on two circular , which can have equal or unequal radii, allowing the curve to connect or form elegant reversals in profiles. The resulting form imparts a sense of graceful undulation, distinguishing it from simpler like semicircles or ellipses. Variations in the ogee curve include symmetrical and asymmetrical types, with the symmetrical version employing arcs of identical radii for balanced proportions that enhance visual harmony. In contrast, asymmetrical ogees use arcs of differing radii, shifting the point of and creating a more dynamic, irregular flow that can emphasize movement or in compositions. Proportions between the arcs significantly influence the curve's aesthetic impact; for instance, a sharper reversal at the tangency point heightens decorative by intensifying the contrast between concavity and convexity, often preferred in ornate profiles for added visual . Traditional construction of an ogee curve employs compass-and-straightedge techniques to ensure precision and tangency. To draw a basic symmetrical ogee between two parallel lines, first erect perpendiculars at the endpoints to locate the curve's extent, then use the compass to scribe a semicircle connecting these points as a reference; subsequent arcs are drawn from intersection points to form the concave and convex segments, ensuring smooth tangency at the reversal. This method allows designers to replicate the curve accurately in drafts, adapting radii as needed for symmetrical or asymmetrical outcomes while maintaining geometric integrity.

Mathematical Formulation

The ogee curve, characterized by its S-shaped profile, is most precisely defined as a piecewise combination of two circular arcs to ensure geometric accuracy in applications like architectural profiles. The first arc (concave upward) follows the explicit form y=r1−r12−(x−h)2y = r_1 - \sqrt{r_1^2 - (x - h)^2}
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