| BALUSTER |
 An upright support in a variety of turned shapes, customarily swelling toward the base. When one shape is inverted and superimposed on its model, it is called a double baluster. Used in a series and supporting a rail, it forms part of a balustrade. |
| BARREL VAULT |
A ceiling or roof construction as an extended arch over a space. Customarily semicylindrical in shape. |
| BASE |
The bottom part, made up of moldings, of the column and the pilaster, or of any architectural of decorative sign.
See ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE. |
| BASEBOARD |
A flat projection at the floor level of an interior wall. See DADO. |
| BATTER |
An incline given the face of a wall. |
| BAY, BAY LEAF, BAYBERRY |
 A stylized leaf and berry of the bay tree, by laurel or sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) often imbricated as in a wreath, in a swag, or in the enrichment of a torus. |
| BEAD, BEAD MOLDING |
A small half round. See MOLDINGS. |
| BEAD-AND-REEL |
A molding made up of elongated beads and disks.
 |
| BEADS |
See PEARLS. |
| BED MOLD |
The molding on which a cornice rests.
See ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE. |
| BEL ÉTAGE |
The principal floor, customarily above the
ground floor, reserved for reception rooms. Also PIANO NOBILE.
. |
| BELT COURSE |
A horizontal band of masonry extending
across the facade of a building. Also STRING COURSE.
See ARCH. |
| BEZANT |
A coin-shaped ornament. |
| BRACKET |
A support for a projection, such as a cornice, usually scroll-shaped, as in a console bracket. |
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Bracket |
Bucrane |
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| BUCRANE |
An ox skull. An ornamental device often used with garlands, festoons, and ribbons. |
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