MODANATURA. - A term encompassing all the minor members of the architectural orders.
There are eight principal m.: fillet, bead or astragal, torus, echinus, cavetto or hollow, upright cyma, reversed cyma, scotia; they are called simple or composite according as their profile is determined by a single geometrical curve or by two or more joined curves. The m. constituting the cornices, bases, and imposts of columns and pilasters serve particular functions of separation (fillet, scotia), support (echinus, reversed cyma), and protection (cavetto,
upright cyma). The lesser or greater emphasis given to the individual m. must be studied in relation to light and viewpoints: strong, direct light produces intense shadows and therefore requires less sharply cut profiles, whereas with diffused light deep hollows are needed to avoid a flat and monotonous effect; if the viewpoint is too close, particular devices and perspectival deformations are employed. The combination of various m. (torus, fillets, scotia in bases; fillets and echinus in the Doric capital; upright and reversed cyma, fillet, cavetto in cornices, etc.) determines the profile of certain architectural elements. Mario Zocca