Egg-and-dart

Egg-and-dart molding at the top of an Ionic capital

Egg-and-dart motifs (on right) from Meyer's Ornament

Egg-and-dart or Egg-and-tongue is an ornamental device often carved in wood, stone, or plaster quarter-round ovolo mouldings, consisting of an egg-shaped object alternating with an element shaped like an arrow, anchor or dart. Egg-and-dart enrichment of the ovolo molding of the Ionic capital is found in Ancient Greek architecture at the Erechtheion and was used by the Romans. The motif has also been common in neoclassical architecture.