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13:19 Aug 24, 2011
French to English translations [PRO] Architecture / ecclesiatical architecture
French term or phrase:bandes lombardes ou lésènes
(description of a church) the whole sentence reads : Malgré ses quelques remaniements, elle a conservé les principaux aspects d'une pure architecture romane propre au Languedoc (contreforts soutenant des murs décorés de bandes lombardes ou lésènes).
Welcome to Kudoz. Kudoz has a glossary and that's why only 1 term is allowed per question. This question and the previous question contain at least 6 different terms. Please limit your questions to a single term. http://www.proz.com/siterules/kudoz_asking/2.3#2.3
Explanation: I'll have to look for lésènes, since i've never come across the term before, but definitely Lombard bands for the former.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 37 mins (2011-08-24 13:57:29 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Lombard bands (so called, I assume, because they were a constant feature of the "Romanesque" architecture of Lombardy) are, essentially, "engaged pilasters" running up (or down, if you are so oriented) the *exterior* walls of a church topped (or bottomed) by a single arch or multiple arches.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2011-08-24 14:38:24 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I'm going to just assume that "lésènes" is, indeed, a synonym for "Lombard bands," although I've never seen the term before, and it is unknown to the Grand Robert:
"lésènes" appear to be simply the pilasters which make up the vertical elements of the Lombard bands:
"LÉSÈNE, architecture: Ressaut vertical de faible saillie, plaqué sur les murs extérieurs d'un édifice, scandant la paroi murale à intervalles généralement réguliers. ***Les lésènes se combinent avec de petites arcatures aveugles en plein cintre pour former la « bande lombarde »***
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From which I assume, no "petites arcatures aveugles," no LÉSÈNES.
Christopher Crockett Local time: 12:03 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 71
Explanation: Pilaster strips (vertical "columns" projecting ever so slightly from a wall) are generally accompanied by arched corbel tables (a horizontal row of arched corbels between the tops of successive pilaster strips).
The text here seems to suggest that there may be one OR the other, or that the two terms refer to the same thing, which would be reciprocal metonymy at its best.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2011-08-24 15:43:45 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
LOMBARDY FRIEZE is also said.
ARCHED CORBEL TABLE In Early Christian and Romanesque architecture a raised band often at the top of a wall composed of small arches resting on corbels, the arcading regularly punctuated by junctures with pilaster strips. http://www.praisebuildings.com/dictionary/dictionary4.htm
Typical features of the style are the use of brick and browns tone, either singly or in combination, round -arched openings, often compound, pilaster strips, and arched corbel tables. The pilaster strips are slightly raised, attenuated piers without bases or capitals that, in Romanesque Revival architecture, often meet an ARCHED CORBEL TABLE—a raised band of arches carried on corbels. The effect .is often austere but powerful. http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilio_guerra/5650065081/
ARCHED CORBEL TABLE
In early Christian and Romanesque architecture and their derivatives, a corbel table (often near the top of a wall) composed of small blind arches that are regularly punctuated by pilaster strips
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
