Dado

Dado is a term that has come to have different meanings depending on the context and the country it is being used. It's origin is borrowed from the Italian for a die or cube, originally in Latin datum for the same.

[edit] Dado in classical architecture

In the classical order or classical architecture, dado refers to the plain portion of the pedestal or plinth (on to which sits a column), it is the part between the base, which is normally stepped and the cornice which may have a decorative trim.

[edit] Dado rail in Georgian architecture

The Georgian period (1714-1830) with 4 King Georges (and one King William if the period up to 1837, the Regency period is also included), might be described as neo-classical, because it was heavily influenced by and borrowed from Roman features, one of which being the dado.

The Dado rail was a practical solution as well as a Roman reference. Chairs in dining areas would have been positioned up against the walls when they were not in use, and as such the the dado rail was introduced as a practical device to protect those walls (often with delicate wall coverings) from the chair backs. This location a few feet off the ground also corresponded in terms of proportion approximately to the location of the dado pedestal section of the plinth of a column in reference to classical architecture.

[edit] Dado rail in Victorian architecture

During the early Victorian period dado rails were less popular as dining chairs were generally positioned under the table when not in use, so were not practically needed. However towards the end of the period it grew in popularity merely as a decorative device, often with wood panelling beneath and accompanied by picture rails higher up on the walls.

[edit] Dado rail in Edwardian architecture

The popularity of the decorative dado rail continued into the Edwardian period and most Edwardian entrance areas would have dado rails on the walls, either with or without wood panelling below. The device in both late Victorian and Edwardian homes may also be seen recreated in ceramic and located in bathrooms and kitchens as a border to the tiling, slughtly higher up than they would have been in the original Georgian period.

[edit] Dado cuts in Joinery

In the US and Canada, dado normally refers to a cut or slot placed a right angles within the length of a timber to aid the location of another adjoining piece of timber, such as a shelf. In the UK the same cut is referred to as a housing and in European English a trench, the key characteristic being that the cut is at right angles to the timbers grain unlike a groove which runs with the grain, or a rebate (rabbet in the US) which is cut at the end or a timber length. The tool used to make the cut might be referred to as a dado set or dado blade and the slight variations of the cut described as;