How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
The ogee arch is frequently used in small arcades and in the heads of
windows. The dripstones, or hood moulds, are generally supported by
heads and are frequently enriched with crockets and finials. The arcades
that ornament the walls and those over the _sedilia_ are characteristic
features of the style. Pillars are clustered and arches richly moulded;
they often have the hood-moulding over them. Very often they have what
is called a stilted base. The capitals are ornamented with beautiful
foliage: each leaf is copied from nature and often arranged round the
bell of the capital. The ornamental sculptures in the hollow mouldings
are numerous, but there are two which require more particular notice;
they are nearly as characteristic of the Decorated style as the zigzag
is of the Norman, or the tooth-ornament of the Early English. The first
is the ball-flower, which is a globular flower half opened, and showing
within a small round ball. It is used with the utmost profusion in the
mouldings of windows, doorways, canopies, cornices, arches, etc. The
other ornament is the four-leaved flower. This has a raised centre, and
four petals cut in high relief; it is frequently much varied, but may be
distinguished by its being cut distinctly into four petals, and by its
boldness: it is sometimes used abundantly, though not quite so profusely
as the ball-flower. In some instances the centre is sunk instead of
being raised. The battlement, as an ornamental feature in the interior
of buildings, is frequently used in this style, although it is more
common in the Perpendicular.
The foliage in this style is more faithfully copied from nature than in
any other: the vine-leaf, the maple and the oak with the acorn, are the
most usual. The surface of the wall is often covered with flat foliage,
arranged in small squares called diaper-work, which is believed to have
originated in an imitation of the rich hangings then in general use, and
which bore the same name.
The groined roofs or vaults are distinguished from those of the
preceding style, chiefly by an additional number of ribs, and by the
natural foliage on the bosses. Many fine examples of these remain, as in
the Cathedral of Exeter and at York in the chapter-house; at Norwich in
the cloisters; at Chester the vault is of wood with stone springers.
After culminating in the Decorated style, Gothic Architecture began to
decline in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries. The transition from
the Decorated to the Perpendicular took place from 1360 to 1399:
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