Festoon

A Festoon (from French feston, Italian festone, from a Late Latin festo, originally a festal garland, Latin festum, feast) is a wreath or garland, and in architecture typically a carved ornament depicting conventional arrangement of flowers, foliage or fruit bound together and suspended by ribbons. The motif is sometimes known as a swag when depicting fabric or linen.

Origins and design

Its origin is probably due to the representation in stone of the garlands of natural flowers, etc., which were hung up over an entrance doorway on fête days, or suspended around an altar.

The design was largely employed both by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and formed the principal decoration of altars, friezes and panels. The ends of the ribbons are sometimes formed into bows or twisted curves; when in addition a group of foliage or flowers is suspended, it is called a drop or margent.

The motif was later used in neo-classical architecture and decorative arts, especially ceramics and the work of silversmiths. Variations on the exact design are plentiful; for example, the ribbons can be suspended either from a decorated knot, or held in the mouths of lions, or suspended across the tops of bucrania as in the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli.

Festoon (horse)

Festoon (1951–1973) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and boodmare, best known for winning the 1000 Guineas in 1954 and setting a world record when being sold at auction later that year. In a racing career which lasted from autumn 1953 to July 1954 the filly ran seven times and won three races. After winning her only race as a two-year-old, Festoon won the Classic 1000 Guineas over one mile at Newmarket Racecourse the following spring. She failed to stay the distance in the Epsom Oaks but returned to one mile to win the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and finish third against colts in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. She was then retired to stud where she produced several winners.

Background

Festoon was a chestnut mare with a prominent white blaze and long white socks on her hind legs. She was bred by her owner John Arthur "Lucky" Dewar, an industrialist who had inherited a fortune including a string of racehorses from his uncle Thomas Dewar, 1st Baron Dewar in 1930. Festoon was sired by Fair Trial a successful racehorse who became Britain's Champion sire in 1950. Her dam, Monsoon finished second in the wartime substitute Oaks in 1943 and was bought by Dewar as a prospective broodmare for 7,300 guineas at the end of her racing career. Before foaling Festoon, Monsoon had produced Refreshed, a filly who finished third in the 1000 Guineas in 1952. As a descendant of the broodmare Rose Red, Monsoon came from the same branch of Thoroughbred "Family" 1-w which later produced Celtic Ash, Larkspur, Altesse Royale and Nocturnal Spree.

Apoda limacodes

The Festoon (Apoda limacodes) is a moth of the family Limacodidae. It is found in Europe.

The wingspan is 20–30 mm. The moth flies in June and July in Belgium and The Netherlands.

The Festoon mainly inhabits thick woodlands, and it is mainly nocturnal, but it will occasionally fly in the sun.

The larvae feed on oak and beech.

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