voussure en coquille

English translation: conched archivolt

18:20 Jan 30, 2024

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Architecture / Islamic domestic architecture

French term or phrase: voussure en coquille

From a French (France) book about domestic architecture in the Arabian Peninsula (the translation is into US English). This particular arch containing the "voussure" is said to be a stilted semicircular arch in Ottoman style, influenced by European baroque style, if that helps. At this link you can see a similar arch and a description in French, although the one in my book looks less like a literal shell: https://www.paj-mag.fr/definition/coquille/.

Does anyone have any insight?

Ruth Hill KudoZ activity Questions: 34 (none open) (3 closed without grading) Answers: 27 United Kingdom
Local time: 22:10

English translation:conched archivolt

Explanation:
Given that en coquille refers not to the 2D shape but rather to the 3D shape of an arch, and assuming the archivolt is not actually scalloped, I'd look for something other than anything shell-related since I think one generally thinks of the 2D representation.

"En architecture, la coquille est la voûte en quart de sphère, parfois décorée de cannelures et formant la partie supérieure d'une niche en plein cintre."
https://www.meubliz.com/definition/coquille/

Given this definition, I assume that in your case, rather than having a vertical tympanum above the door (inset from the façade) and a series of archivolts progressively working out to the façade, the tympanum is curved both vertically (to meet the bottom archivolt) and horizontally (to carry the curvature of the successive archivolts deeper into the wall (see images).

This shape goes by two names: semi-cupular or quarter-spherical.

So, semi-cupular archivolt, quarter-spherical archivolt, or even simply concave archivolt, maybe.

On the other hand, if it is indeed somehow sculpted to resemble a shell, it could be a 'shell-headed archivolt', maybe, along the lines of a 'shell-headed niche' (see image), even if the archivolt is itself the head of the building component below:

"shell-headed Said of a decoration, generally concave in shape, that is often similar in appearance to the shell of a sea scallop; often found at the head of a building component in Spanish architecture and its derivatives."
Dictionary of Architecture & Construction, Ed. Cyril M. Harris, ISBN 0-07-135178-7, €96 from W.H.Smith, Paris in the 1990s

Of course, just as there are no Google hits for 'shell-shaped archivolt', as Johannes has pointed out, neither are there any for any of my proposals … except, that is, 'concave archivolt'. And where did we get 'concave'? The Latin cavus means 'hollow' and the Latin concha means 'shell (of snail)', which leaves my wondering if 'concave' does not actually mean 'hollow like a shell'.

It consists of a large portico with two pairs of twin Corinthian pilasters, which carry a concave archivolt in a semi-circular arch.
https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm11HCV_Chapelle_de_lOra...

"ornamented lintel and cornice surmounted by ornate concave archivolt with festoons and foliate design housing peacock fanlight"
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/...

" Composite engaged columns supporting entablature, with dentils and concave archivolt having moulded enlarged dropped keystone"
https://blackwatercastlecorkdotorg.wordpress.com/tag/buildin...

"Ionic-style engaged columns supporting frieze with swag decoration and dentillated cornice, concave archivolt having scroll keystone"
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/...

"Round-head door opening with flush surround of ashlar Portland stone having concave archivolt"
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/...

I have not found pictures of all the concave archivolts above, but those I have found (interestingly, with the exception of one in the Roero, Italy, they all seem to be in Ireland) are not exactly 'shell-shaped', the archivolt(s) extending only a short distance into the depth of the wall where the tympanum is actually a half-round window.

"concha 1. The semidome vaulting of an apse; also called a conch. 2. O, Spanish architecture and its derivatives, a decorative element in the form of the interior of a sea scallop; see shell-headed."
Dictionary of Architecture & Construction, Ed. Cyril M. Harris

"with its own little dome and conched apse"
http://www.churches-of-rome.info/CoR_Info/SNC045/SNinC.pdf

"Irish churches, in their general form, preserve very nearly that of the Roman basilica, but they never present the conched semi-circular absis at the east end"
https://theses.gla.ac.uk/79930/1/13905381.pdf

"The structural system of conched churches consisted of massive walls and a central area surmounted by a semicircular dome"

Conclusion: There does not appear to be a term for this particular building element, not that I have found, at least, so unless there is to be lengthy descriptive text, something has to be made up. A variation of Johannes' 'vault' suggestion would be as good as any IMHO: 'conch archivolt' or 'conched archivolt'.

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Note added at 1 day 21 hrs (2024-02-01 15:32:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Selected response from:

Bourth
France
Local time: 23:10

Grading comment

Thank you so much! I think "shell-headed" is the best solution
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +3

shell-shaped archivolt

Rhys Allan

4 -1

conch vault

Johannes Gleim

1 +1

conched archivolt

Bourth

Discussion entries: 8

Johannes Gleim

@ Ruth

16:57 Mar 6

Since Schtroumpf has once again challenged the point that the answer depends on how the "voussure en coquille" is designed and decorated, I must now ask Ruth to provide information on this item. Since this is an Islamic building, it is reasonable to conclude that it does not represent figures of saints, but rather plant-like or geometric patterns, which are widely used in Islam.

Schtroumpf

Encore une fois...

09:29 Mar 6

... le commentaire de Mr Gleim est totalement hors sujet. Tout dépend de la décoration ??? Mais enfin, la voussure en coquille EST cette décoration ! Parlons des choses mais parlons à bon escient. Merci.

Johannes Gleim

@ Ruth

19:20 Feb 1

By "voussure en coquille" I mean a conchoidal structure, but not a tympanum with many figurative statues. I can't imagine that this décor contains statues of saints. Such figures are banned in the Arab world.

Wikipedia:
A tympanum (pl.: tympana; from Greek and Latin words meaning "drum") is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, door or window, … It often contains pedimental sculpture or other imagery or ornaments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanum_(architecture)

See Chartres:

The tympanum over the center portal of the north transept. On the lintel are the Dormition (Death) and Assumption of the Virgin. Above is the Coronation of the Virgin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartres_Cathedral

Be that as it may, it all depends on how the arch is decorated.

Please check with the client.

Ruth Hill

United Kingdom

ASKER

@Schtroumpf

17:49 Feb 1

Merci beaucoup pour votre aide! Oui, je suis d'accord, "shell-headed" est la meillure solution. Les photos que Bourth a fournies des "shell-headed niches" ressemblent beaucoup à ma voussure en coquille. Elle a des cannelures comme dans la photo ici: https://www.meubliz.com/definition/coquille/ ainsi que dans la photo des deux niches
en haut de la réponse de Bourth.

Ruth Hill

United Kingdom

ASKER

@Emmanuella and Johannes

17:39 Feb 1

Thank you very much for your contributions! :)

Schtroumpf

Signification en français

16:19 Feb 1

Ce n'est pas évident de visualiser l'élément architectural malheureusement. À quoi ressemble ce monument à un endroit inconnu de style ottoman ??
Pour l'architecture française, que je connais d'assez près, une coquille n'est pas seulement un élément plus ou moins en forme cul-de-four mais présente surtout un *appareillage* particulier, avec des rayons similaire à ceux d'un coquillage. On est donc dans le domaine de la stéréotomie normalement, plus que dans la simple forme en 3D.
Pour cette raison, le "shell-headed" dans la réponse de Bourth me semble infiniment mieux que le "concave" tout simple.

Emmanuella

Italy

15:26 Jan 31

https://www.wordreference.com/fren/voussure

Johannes Gleim

@ Allan

12:03 Jan 31

No results found for "shell-shaped archivolt" (Google)

Answers

25 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

shell-shaped archivolt

Explanation:
Regarding the broader concept, it looks like 'voussure' does exist as a cognate, but 'archivolt' seems to be a little more common. I'm unsure if their is a more specific term for what you are looking for, but in the absence of one, I would probably just say 'shell-shaped archivolt.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 36 mins (2024-01-30 18:57:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Anecdotally, using the term 'Coquille arch/archivolt' provides some image results similar to what you describe, maybe that would be a preferred solution.

Merriam-Webster also gives a related term - Arrière-voussure. Perhaps that would work too.

Good luck!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrière-voussure

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archivolt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivolt

Rhys Allan
Germany
Local time: 23:10
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you so much for your help - I really wish I could have given both of you the points! "Archivolt" was exactly the definition for "voussure" I needed.

17 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

conch vault

Explanation:
La coquille, ou voûte en coquille, est une voûte semi-sphérique, souvent en conque ou appareillée en panache (c’est-à-dire formée de plusieurs voussoirs s’élargissant vers le haut).
https://www.paj-mag.fr/definition/coquille/

voûte en coquille , conque ; ing . shell vault, conch of the apse
https://books.google.de/books?id=UaNLNVV3XaEC&pg=PA239&lpg=P...

The presbytery was covered by a cross-ribbed vault and the apse by a conch vault with wide ribs supported by triangular consoles.
https://kamienwcyfrze.pl/en/zdjecie/presbytery-vault/ (See upper part)

The frescoes on the walls and piers and in the conch vault are by Cesare Nebbia.
https://www.tripadvisor.fr/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g187791-d... (see photo 4)

Vestiges of the presbytery, which was once covered with a conch vault, are all that remain of the nave.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

The altar is right against the wall of the apse, and has no canopy. Instead, above the altarpiece is an icon of the Madonna and Child in a gilded stucco glory. In the conch vault are frescoes of angels, and two stucco statues of angel candleholders in the style of Bernini are on plinths flanking the altar.
https://romanchurches.fandom.com/wiki/San_Francesco_Saverio_...

Johannes Gleim
Local time: 23:10
Works in field
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 8

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you so much!

1 day 20 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

conched archivolt

Bourth
France
Local time: 23:10
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 23

Grading comment

Thank you so much! I think "shell-headed" is the best solution

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