M, N, O. (making good - ovolo)

Making good: repair work to existing plaster or render work.

Marmorino: a decorative Italian stucco technique using several coats of lime and various gradings of marble dust, usually mixed in the ratio of 2 parts marble dust to 1 part lime.

Matrix: often used today to describe some form of cementing material used in the production of a plaster/render mix. Derived from the Latin, its original meaning related to a mould in which anything is formed.

Metope: used to describe the spaces found within certain friezes, eg: the space between two dentils in an Ionic frieze, or the space between two triglyphs in the frieze of the Doric order.

Milk of lime: a free flowing suspension of hydrated lime in water in such proportions as to resemble milk in appearance.

Mitre: the line formed by the intersections of two mouldings or other surfaces at any angle other than 180o.

Mitre leaf: a plaster leaf, often pre-cast used to cover over the intersection of a line of enrichment.

Model: the original form which a copy or a mould is taken and will be produced. Either formed by a modeller or by a plasterer often using several techniques.

Modeller: one who designs and makes models in clay, plaster, wax, resin/plastic, etc.

Modelling: the forming of figures, architectural details, and works of art, from which copies will be reproduced. Can also mean the forming of figures and ornamentation direct from the final material, such as terra cotta, clay, plaster, cement, etc.

Modillion: an ornament like a small bracket or console used beneath a classical cornice. Also termed a block.

Module: a measure of proportion, the lower diameter of the shaft of a column.

Mortar: Any material in a plastic state which can be trowelled, becomes hard in place, and which can be used for bedding and jointing masonry units.

Mould: a reverse pattern of a model in which a cast is formed, these may be of plaster or a flexible plastic.
A ërunning mouldí is used to form plastic mouldings. A ëreverse running mouldí is used to form a casting mould and a ëreverse casting mouldí is one made without the aid of a model.

Mouldings: these form part of an order or element of decoration, which is composed of various curves and squares. Can be projecting or sunken often forming bands on the face of a wall, column or panel. Capable of infinite variations.

Moulding-Piece: a model or original with a ground, or otherwise constructed to mould form. It is sometimes termed a ësolidí.

Muffle: a temporary profile used on both solid and reverse running moulds to assist with the building up of a feature, or detail of ornamentation. May be made of wood, metal or plaster.

Nail-head Moulding: moulding composed of a series of pyramidal projections.

Napkin Pattern: (see Linen Fold)

Natural cement: a fortuitous balance of chalk and clay, as in certain mud-stones, can have the ideal proportions to produce a quick-setting cement when fired at its optimum temperature. The original patent for Parkerís ëRomaní cement was taken out in 1796. Like other cements, natural cements need to be finely ground before they can hydrate.

Neat: plaster or cement with no aggregate, no additive, used, nothing added but water.

Neck Mouldings: those round the lower part of a capital.

Niche: a recess in a wall, pillar or column. From the Italian ëNicchaí ? a shell.

Non-hydraulic lime: Class A lime. A lime with high purity.

Nosing: the projecting part of a moulding.

Oblique Angle: an angle that is greater or less than a right angle.

Oblong: a rectangle of unequal dimensions, a figure longer than broad.

Obtuse: the opposite to an acute or sharp angle.

Ogee: or O.G. a curve composed partly of a convex and partly of a concave line; applied to the sections of moulding and the outlines of arches.

O.P.C.: Ordinary Portland Cement.

Orders: the five orders of classical architecture: The Tuscan, the Doric, the Ionic, the Corinthian, the Composite. Their chief parts ar the Column, with its base, shaft and capital, and the Entablature, the treatment of which constitutes the particular style.

Oriel: a bow-window, either corbelled out from the wall or rising from the ground.

Original: a first design or model. The term may also be applied to a moulding piece.

Oversail: the part of an entablature, cornices, etc., overhanging the face of a wall shaft of a column, etc.

Ovolo: a round convex moulding.
 
 

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