Alfiz
The alfiz (Spanish: [alˈfiθ], from Andalusi Arabic الحِيْز alḥíz, from Standard Arabic الحَيِّز alḥáyyiz, meaning 'the container';[1]) is an architectural adornment, consisting of a moulding, usually a rectangular panel, which encloses the outward side of an arch. It is an architectonic ornament of Etruscan origin, used in Visigothic, Asturian, Moorish, Mozarabic, Mudéjar and Isabelline Gothic architecture.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Alfiz.tipos02.jpg/350px-Alfiz.tipos02.jpg)
It is frequent in the Islamic Hispanic art and Mozarabic art (usually in connection with the horseshoe arch). As the image illustrates, there are two alfiz variants:
- Alfiz starting from the impost.
- Alfiz starting from the floor.
The space between the arch and the alfiz is called enjuta or arrabá, usually richly decorated (iron-gray in the illustration). Each curved triangle is called albanega (spandrel).
References
- ^ Alfiz: "DRAE. Diccionario de la Lengua Española. Vigésima segunda edición", Espasa Calpe, S.A, 2003
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- Arabic architecture
- Berber architecture
- Iranian architecture
- Islamic architecture
- Moorish architecture
- Mughal architecture
- Ottoman architecture
- Sudano-Sahelian architecture
- Yemeni architecture
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