An ogee moulding is a profile with an S-shaped section: a concave curve that runs directly into a convex one. It is one of the basic profiles of classical mouldings and appears in cornices, skirtings, frames, furniture and routed timber profiles. In Dutch this profile is called an ojief.
The two forms
| Form | Latin name | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Ogee | Cyma recta | Concave above, convex below |
| Reverse ogee | Cyma reversa | Convex above, concave below |
The difference shows immediately in the way each catches light. A cyma recta throws a deep shadow at the top and fades away at the bottom, which is why it is used as the crowning member of a cornice. The reverse ogee does the opposite and is used as a transition down onto a surface below.
Where you meet an ogee
- Cornice — as the crowning profile at the top of a facade or under an eaves overhang
- Skirting and architrave — as the transition between wall and floor, or around an opening
- Window and door profiles — as a transom moulding or panel surround
- Cabinetmaking — as a profile on a cabinet cornice or table edge
- Routing — the ogee cutter is a standard router bit
Why mould at all?
Mouldings are more than decoration. A moulded member:
- Casts shadow and gives relief to an otherwise flat facade
- Breaks the run of water — a projecting moulding with a drip at its underside keeps rainwater off the wall face
- Hides inaccuracy — a profile disguises an imperfect joint far better than a plain flat board
Making one yourself
- Choose the orientation deliberately — on a cornice, the hollow goes at the top
- Rout in several passes — two or three shallow passes give a cleaner result than one deep cut
- Use a mitre box or mitre saw — an S-profile is unforgiving in a mitre: half a degree out and you see it
- Sand with a shaped block — never sand freehand, or you lose the crispness of the curve
- Externally, shed the water — give the underside a drip groove or a slight fall, or water will sit on the profile
Related terms
- Cornice
- Moulding
- Architrave
- Skirting
- Ogive
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