A shaped architectural or ornamental profile formed by the controlled movement of a section along a line or curve.
Modanatura is a shaped architectural or ornamental member defined by its profile. It may consist of crisp planar forms or curved concave and convex forms such as the toro, ovolo, gola, guscio, and scozia.
For stone carvers, modanature are fundamental exercises in geometric control. They demand continuity of profile, accurate transitions, clean edges, and consistent execution over distance.
Etymology
From Italian modanare, 'to shape or execute a molding,' related to modano, a profile or template.
Sculptor Notes
Classical moldings are a superb test of disciplined carving because the eye immediately detects inconsistencies in profile or edge. Treccani explicitly describes modanature as including both planar profiles with spigoli vivi and curved profiles such as the toro. Cross-reference: Toro; Spigolo vivo.
References
https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/modanatura/ | https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/modanatura/