in architecture, anything that adorns and enriches a building, church, triumphal arch, or the like, either without side or within.

The orders of architecture contribute greatly to the decoration; but then the several parts of those orders must have their just proportions, characters, and ornaments; otherwise the finest order will bring confusion rather than richness. See Architecture.

Decorations in churches, are paintings, vases, festoons, &c. occasionally applied to the walls; and with so much conduct and discretion, as not to take off any thing from the form of the architecture: as is much decoration practised in Italy at the solemn feasts.

Decoration is more particularly applied to the scenes of theatres.

In operas, and other theatrical performances, the decorations must be frequently changed, conformably to the subject.

The ancients had two kinds of decorations for their theatres: the first, called versailles, having three sides, or faces, which were turned successively to the spectators: the other called duvilles, showing a new decoration by drawing or hiding another before it.—This latter sort is still used, and apparently with much greater success than among the ancients, who were obliged to draw a curtain whenever they made a change in the decoration; whereas on our stage the change is made in a moment, and almost without being perceived.