Costume -- Great Britain -- History; Great Britain -- History; Great Britain -- History -- Pictorial works
(Fig. 1): Pillar with spiral fluting in Waltham Abbey (founded
by Harold II.) The spiral grooves were originally filled with
chased and gilt metal. Of the twelve pillars in the Abbey two
are indented spirally and two with chevrons. The others are
plain. (Other instances of this work on the pillars may be
found at Durham, Lindisfarne, and Kirkby Lonsdale). The arches
are decorated with the indented zigzag ornament. (Fig. 2):
Flat Norman buttress (Iffley, Oxfordshire). The buttresses
at first were merely flat, pilaster-like projections, wholly
devoid of ornament. (Figs. 3 to 8): Norman capitals. These
were either plain, cubical masses with the lower angles
rounded off, forming a rude cushion shape (Fig. 3), or they
have a rude kind of volute cut upon the edges of the angles
(Fig. 8, from St. John’s Chapel in the White Tower). The
scalloped capitals (Figs. 6 and 7) belong to a later period.
This form of capital is most common in all the first half of
the twelfth century. The capital is the member by which the
styles are more easily distinguished than by any other. The
abacus (A, Fig. 4) is square in section. (Figs. 9 to 14):
Norman mouldings, which were almost endless in variety. They
were most abundantly used in doorways and other arches and in
horizontal strips. The most general is the zigzag (Fig. 14).
(Fig. 9): The star. (Fig. 10): The round billet (a square
billet is also used). (Fig. 11): The billet and lozenge. (Fig.
12): The beak-head. (Fig. 13): The bead course. (Fig. 14): The
zigzag or chevron. (Fig. 15): Early Norman pier, recessed at
the angles, and square edges, in St. Alban’s Abbey, 1080 A.D.
(Fig. 16): Norman doorway with recessed pillars and decorated
head, at St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury. (Fig. 17): Norman chamfer.]
LATER NORMAN ARCHITECTURE.
The Earlier period of Norman architecture may be approximately closed
in 1120 A.D. (fifty-four years after the Battle of Hastings).
In the Later period the chisel took the place of the axe in the cutting
of the ornament. Consequently there is a fineness and a more finished
style of work, which could not be executed with the latter tool.
The Later or rich Norman style is chiefly characterised by the
abundance of the ornament and the deep cutting. Sculpture, which
was sparingly used in the earlier work, was frequently added to it
at a later period, and as the style advanced, greater lightness and
enrichment were introduced.
It is said that through the Crusades men saw the architecture of many
cities, and their return from the wars was marked by a striking change
not only in the masonry, but in the character and feeling of Norman
work. It is said, also, that the ornaments in Later Norman work and
in the Transition period which followed often partook very much of a
Greek, Byzantine, or Oriental character.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account