An acroterion, acroterium, (pl. akroteria) is an architectural ornament placed on a flat pedestal called the acroter or plinth, and mounted at the apex or corner of the pediment of a building in the classical style.[1] An acroterion placed at the outer angles of the pediment is an acroterion angularium (Latin: [[wikt:angularis|angulārium]] means ‘at the corners’).
The acroterion may take a wide variety of forms, such as a statue, tripod, disc, urn, palmette or some other sculpted feature. Acroteria are also found in Gothic architecture.[2] They are sometimes incorporated into furniture designs.[3]
The word comes from the Greek (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ἀκρωτήριον 'summit, extremity'), from the comparative form of the adjective ἄκρος, ("extreme", "endmost") + -τερος (comparative suffix) + -ιον (substantivizing neuter form of adjectival suffix -ιος). It was Latinized by the Romans as Latin: acroterium. Acroteria is the plural of both the original Greek[4] and the Latin form.[5]
According to Webb, during the Hellenistic period the winged victory or Nike figure was considered to be "the most appropriate motif for figured akroteria.”[6]