Spiral Volute Drawing

A rule for drawing the spiral lines of the volute of the Ionic order.

¶ Take your compasses and extend from "i" in the eye of the volute, to the greatest extent, and sweep with them a quarter of a circle; then holding still in the point where the compasses ended the quarter circle, bring the other point of the compasses to "2" in the eye of the volute; there sweep another quarter of a circle, still holding your compasses in that point; bring the other point of your compasses to "3" in the eye of the volute, and sweep another quarter of a circle, then hold your compasses in that point, and bring the other point of your compasses to "4" in the eye of the volute, then sweep the other quarter; so by this means you will complete one round of the volute: then proceed in the same manner from "4", to "5", "6", "7", and so on to "12". take notice of the eye of the volute at large, and observe to divide each division into three equal parts, as is done between "2" and "6", and let the point of your compass be placed in the points c, d, f, etc., to diminish the fillet of the volute.

Spiral Volute Drawing, Plate VIII

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