Definition: a type of pediment - an ornamental element atop a piece of case furniture (secretaries, chests of drawers) or clock - that has a gap or break in the middle; can be triangular (see photo) or arched (see More Images) in shape; often the center gap is adorned with a finial or some other decorative object that might rise above the two ends; dating back to ancient Roman architecture, it began appearing on furniture in the late 17th century; highly typical of various 18th-century styles, including Queen Anne, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton
Also Known As: broken-arch pediment, broken-scroll pediment (a variation)
Example: The broken pediment atop the Chippendale highboy was indeed broken, the dealer said sadly, pointing out the jagged remnant of a finial in the center.