A sculptured frieze or horizontal band bearing figures of animals or persons, especially in classical architectural decoration.
Zoophorus, also spelled zophorus or zoophoros, is a classical architectural term for a decorated horizontal frieze bearing sculpted figures, particularly animals or human figures. It is especially associated with the continuous sculptured frieze of Ionic architecture.
Etymology
From Greek zoion, “animal or living being,” and pherein, “to bear”: literally “bearing living figures.”
Sculptor Notes
A zoophorus should be designed as a continuous visual field. Individual figures must retain clarity while participating in the rhythm and horizontal movement of the architecture.
References
https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?i=&index=frt&lang=eng&srchtxt=ZOOPHORE