Editing Niche (architecture) (section)

{{Short description|Architectural recess in a wall}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Paris - Dôme des Invalides - Statue - PA00088714 - 003.jpg|thumb|200px|Niche with a sculpture by [[Antoine Coysevox]], in the [[Les Invalides]], Paris]]

In [[architecture]], a '''niche''' (<small>[[Canadian English|CanE]]</small>, {{IPAc-en|uk|ˈ|n|iː|ʃ}} or {{IPAc-en|us|ˈ|n|ɪ|tʃ}}) is a recess or cavity constructed in the thickness of a wall for the reception of decorative objects such as statues, busts, urns, and vases.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Gwilt |first=Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZs9AQAAMAAJ&dq=niche+architecture&pg=PA881 |title=An Encyclopaedia of Architecture, Historical, Theoretical, and Practical |date=1876 |publisher=Longmans, Green |language=en}}</ref> In [[Classical architecture]] examples are an [[exedra]] or an [[apse]] that has been reduced in size, retaining the half-dome heading usual for an apse. In the first century B.C, there was no exact mention of niches, but rather a zotheca or small room. These rooms closely resemble alcoves similar to a niche but slightly larger. Different sizes and sculpture methods suggest the term niche was understood. Greeks and Romans especially, used niches for important family tombs.<ref name=":0" />