What's the difference between acroterium and pediment?

Acroterium


Definition:

  • (n.) One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture.
  • (n.) One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a part roof balustrade.

Example Sentences:

Pediment


Definition:

  • (n.) Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) This earned Johnson a Time magazine cover story and unprecedented international attention, essentially because of one clever and incidental gesture, the broken pediment that tops the building.
  • (2) It clings to the flank of its sandstone church, whose brace of tall, pencil-straight towers are linked by an elegant classical pediment.
  • (3) (The bizarre knot of branches top left in that Triumph of Pan and the foreboding chunk of pediment signing off The Triumph of David feel like Poussin's attempts at repartee.)
  • (4) In the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle, a vast tricolour flapped below a list of Napoleon's victories on the Aarch's pediment.
  • (5) These are "stone hedge" entrances of old row houses that have beautifully carved pediments with European or Chinese motifs.