The Seven Periods of English Architecture Defined and IllustratedSharpe, Edmund
History
The Seven Periods of English Architecture Defined and Illustrated
Sharpe, Edmund
Architecture -- England -- History
The WINDOWS in the earliest examples stand alone as single windows;
they are also sometimes placed singly in a continuous arcade; later
still in triplets under one arch, the centre one being the tallest, and
in some instances two lancets are coupled under one arch,--the spandrel
between them being frequently pierced with a quatrefoil, or other
opening.
The PARAPET has occasionally sunk ornaments upon it, and is carried by
a cornice having a few deep mouldings, with a flower, or other ornament
at intervals, or by a trefoiled Corbel-table, or by a series of
blocks.
_Interior Compartment._
The PIERS consist most commonly of a cluster of shafts, disposed in a
circular form. These shafts sometimes stand entirely free, and surround
a large circular or octagonal column, and are banded in the middle.
The CAPITALS have sometimes one or two rows of stiff projecting leaves,
of a bulbous form, which appear to grow out of the neck of the capital,
and sometimes a single or double series of minute deeply cut mouldings;
the square form of capital, both in the plan and in the upper edge of
the abacus, entirely disappears.
The BASES consist almost invariably of a deep small hollow, set between
two rounds, standing on a square-edged plinth; and greatly resemble the
ordinary Attic base.
The PIER-ARCHES usually show three orders, of small deeply cut
mouldings of alternate rounds and hollows, the number and depth of
which give an exceedingly rich and characteristic appearance to all the
arches of this Period. The peculiar ornament called the _dog-tooth_,
which is formed by hollowing out the sides of a series of contiguous
pyramids notched out of an angular projection, occurs constantly in the
arch-mouldings, as well as in almost every other part of buildings
where an opportunity of carving it presents itself.
The HOOD-MOULDING, resting on small and elegant heads or bosses, is an
almost invariable accompaniment of arches of every description.
The VAULTING-SHAFT sometimes rises from the floor in front of the
principal Pier,--but more usually from a corbel-shaft, resting on a
large ornamental corbel, placed immediately over the pier; it consists
generally of a triple cluster of small elegant shafts, with hollows
between them.
The TRIFORIUM-ARCH generally covers two smaller arches; but
occasionally, a pair of principal Triforium-arches cover two pair of
subordinate arches, which are sometimes plain, and sometimes trefoiled;
the spandrel wall above them being ornamented with foliage, or a sunk
trefoil, and sometimes pierced through with a quatrefoil or other
opening. Sometimes, indeed, one large primary arch covers two secondary
arches, which again contain two small tertiary arches; thus fully
developing the principle of subordination in this part of the building.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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