abacus, The slab at the top of a capital between the capital and the architectural member above. See also column, pier. Other parts of a column or pier: capital, shaft, column base.
acanthus, A Mediterranean plant. The leaves are thick, fleshy, and scalloped. A stylization of the acanthus leaf began in Greek and Roman decoration, especially on the Corinthian capital. See also Corinthian capital.
aisle, Open area of a church parallel to the nave and separated from it by columns or piers. See also nave.
altar, In the Roman Church, a table at which the celebration of the Eucharist takes place. It is placed in the most prominent place in the church, usually at the east end, in the choir or sanctuary, facing the main entrance to the church. See also choir, retable.
alternation of support, A system of supports for an arcade or colonnade in which there are two different types of support. The alternation may be quite obvious, between one pier (strong support) and one column (weak support), or it may exist only in slight differences, such as in the treatment of the shafting on each pier. See also arcade, colonnade, column, pier:
ambulatory, A semicircular or polygonal aisle. Usually an ambulatory leads around the east end of the choir; separating the choir from apses or chapels. See also aisle, apse, choir, east end, hemicycle.
applied column, A column which is attached to a wall so that only half of the form projects from the wall. See also column.
apse, A vaulted extension or projection, usually from a choir or chapel and generally circular or polygonal in shape. Contrast with niche.
arcade, A series of arches supported by columns or piers. Contrast with colonnade. See also blind arcade, column, pier, spandrel
arch, A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess. The wedge shaped elements that make up an arch keep one another in palce and transform the vertical pressure of the structure above into lateral pressure. Parts of an arch: keystone, soffit, spring line, springer, voussoir. Measurements of an arch: rise, span. Related architectural elements: arcade, cusp, hood moulding, spandrel, tympanum. See also: intersecting arch, blind arch, relieving arch, Shapes of arches.
architrave, The lintel or flat horizontal member which spans the space between columns; in classical architecture, the lowest member of an entablature.
archivolts, Bands or mouldings (moldings, Am.) surrrounding an arched opening. See also: jamb, tympanum:
atrium, An open courtyard at the entrance of a church, usually surrounded by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was originally a place for the catechumens to wait during the celebration of the Eucharist. Compare with cloister:
ballflower, A globular motif often used in concave moldings of English Gothic architecture. It looks like a flower with three (or sometimes four) petals nearly closed over a central ball. See also other repetative decorative motifs.
baptismal font, A receptacle for water, used for baptism. See also baptistery.
baptistery, A building or part of a church used for baptism. See also font.
bar tracery, Tracery which is composed of thin stone elements rather than thick ones as in plate tracery The glass rather than the stone dominates when bar tracery is used. It gives a more delicate, web-like effect. Other types of tracery: plate tracery:
barbed quatrefoil, A four-lobed geometrical motif with a triangular projection at the intersection of two adjacent foils. Compare with cinqfoil, trefoil, quatrefoil:
barrel vault, The simplest form of a vault, consisting of a continuous surface of semicircular or pointed sections. It resembles a barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half lengthwise. Compare with groin vault. Types of barrel vault longitudinal,:
base, The architectural element on which a column or pier rests. See also column, pier Other parts of columns and piers: abacus or impost block, capital, shaft:
bas-relief, Sculpture in which the carved forms project only slightly from the background.
battlement, A parapet with alternating openings (embrasures) and raised sections (merlons), often used on castle walls and towers for defense purposes.
bay, A unit of interior space in a building, marked off by architectural divisions.
bead and reel, A decorative motif consisting of oval motifs alternating with round or elongated bead-shaped motifs. Much used in the ancient world and copied in the Middle Ages. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
beak-head, An ornamental motif resembling a bird’s head with a prominent beak. It was common in English Romanesque architectural decoration. See also other repetative decorative motifs.
billet molding, A molding composed wholly or in part of a series of billets: small cubes, cylinders or prisms placed at regular intervals, so that their axis and that of the entire series is parallel to the general direction of the molding. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
blind arcade, A row of decorative arches applied to a wall. See also arcade, blind arch.
blind arch, An arch applied to a wall. Compare with blind arcade, relieving arch.
block capital, A simple cube-like capital with bottom corners tapered. The block capital is particularly characteristic of Ottonian and Romanesque architecture in Germany and England. See also capital, column Compare with: other types of capital.
boss, A projecting stone at the intersection of the ribs of a vault, often the keystone and frequently carved. Compare with keystone. See also rib.
campanile, Italian name for a bell tower, usually one that is detached from the main building.
canon tables, A table of concordance for two or more parallel texts of the Gospels, usually the one compiled by Eusebius of Caesarea in the fourth century.
capital, Decorative element that divides a column or pier from the masonry which it supports. See also: column, pier, shaft, base, abacus. Types of capital:
catacomb, Subterranean burial chamber used during the Roman Empite. Catacombs were used for burial, not only by Christians, but they are usually associated with Christianity because the Christians held services in the catacombs while they were still persecuted by the Romans (First to early fourth centuries A.D., though the persecution was not always severe at all times during this period). Some of the catacombs are decorated with Christian paintings. Compare with crypt See also: sarcophagus, mausoleum, memorial brass:
centrally-planned building, A building in which the sides are of equal length and in which the main space is symmetrical when bisected laterally and longitudinally. A centrally-planned building may be square, circular, or polygonal. The most important feature of a centrally-planned building is the open space at the center of the building, developed around a vertical axis. Contrast with longitudinally-planned building:
chalice, A cup on a stem, used to contain the ecuharistic wine; the same shape was also used in a secular context. See also paten, pyx:
chancel arch, The arch which separates the chancel (sanctuary or choir) from the nave of a church. See also nave, choir.
chapter house, A meeting place for the chapter or governing body of a monastery or a cathedral. Other parts of monastery: cloister, refectory, scriptorium:
chevron, A zig-zag motif. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
choir screen, A screen, made of wood or stone, usually decorated with painting orsculpture, which separates the choir from the rest of the church. See also choir:
choir, The area of the church between a transept and main apse. It is the area where the service is sung and clergy may stand, and the main or high altar is located. In some churches there is no choir, while in others, the choir is quite large and surrounded by an ambulatory. See also altar, choir screen. Other parts of a church: ambulatory, apse, crossing, east end, nave, transept, west end:
ciborium, (1) A box in which the Host (wafers or bread for the Eucharist) is kept and (2) A canopy resting on columns over the altar. For definition (1), compare with pxy, see also paten, chalice:
cinqfoil, A five-lobed ornamental shape. Compare with trefoil, quatrefoil:
clerestory, An upper story of a building with windows above adjacent roofs. Other parts of interior elevations: arcade, gallery or tribune, triforium:
cloister vault, A dome placed over a polygonal base. It is not a semi-sphere, but is formed of curved sections which correspond to the parts of the polygon on which it rests. Compare with pendentive, squinch:
cloister, Part of a monastery; a quadrangle surrounded by covered passages. It connects the domestic parts of the monastery with the church. Usually located on the south side of the church. Other parts of monastery: chapter house, refectory, scriptorium:
codex, A manuscript that is sewn together in the form of a book, with a spine and often a cover. The codex form replaced the scroll as the most common form of manuscript in the Early Christian period.
codices, Plural of codex. A manuscript that is sewn together in the form of a book, with a spine and often a cover. The codex form replaced the scroll as the most common form of manuscript in the Early Christian period.
coffer, The sunken area created between the crossing of structural members. Coffers often appear in a flat ceiling or on the interior surface of a dome. They are often the focus of decoration and serve also to lighten the weight of the structure.
colonnade, A row of columns which support horizontal members, called an architrave, rather than arches. Contrast with arcade. See also architrave, column, pier:
column, A cylindrical support, usually structural but often decorative. Other parts of a column: abacus or impost block, capital, shaft, base. Compare with pier,pilaster. See also applied or engaged column, arcade, colonnade:
composite pier, A type of pier that is composed not of a single member but has shafts, half-columns, or pilaster strips attached to it. See also alternation of support, pier. Other types of piers: drum pier:
confessio, A type of crypt which consists of a series of linked passages. The most famous confessio crypt during the Middle Ages was that of Old Saint Peter’s church in Rome, which contained the tomb os Saint Peter. See also crypt. Other types of crypt: hall crypt:
corbel, A projection from a wall which sometimes supports (or appears to support) a structural member such as a shaft.
Corinthian capital, A capital used originally by the Greeks in a system of supports called the Corinthian order. The Corinthian capital was developed further in Roman times and used often in the medieval period, again, without strict adherence to the rest of the system. It is decorated with 3 superimposed rows of carved foliage (acanthus leaves) around the capital. At the comers of the capital there are small volutes. See also: column, capital, abacus or impost block. See also other types of capital:
crenelation, A parapet with alternating openings (embrasures) and raised sections (merlons), often used on castle walls and towers for defense purposes.
crenellation, A parapet with alternating openings (embrasures) and raised sections (merlons), used here on castle towers for defense purposes.
crocket capital, A simplified adaptation of the Corinthian capital. The crocket capital was commonly used in the Gothic period. See also: column, capital, abacus or impost block. See also other types of capital:
cross section, A diagram showing a building as if it had been cut at right angles to the ground plan. Compare with ground or floor plan:
crossing pier, In the interior of a building, a support that is placed at one of the corners of the crossing. See also: crossing, crossing tower pier:
crossing tower, The tower which sometimes occurs above the space at the intersection of the nave, chancel, and transept of a church. See also: crossing,crossing pier:
crossing, Area of a church where the at nave, choir, and transept intersect. See also crossing tower. Other parts of a church: ambulatory, apse, choir, east end, nave, transept, west end:
crozier, A staff carried by a bishop, archbishop, abbot or abbess. It is in the shape of a shepherd’s crook, and has symbolic significance connected with the New Testament idea of Christ as shepherd of a flock. The crook and staff of the crozier may be heavily decorated. See also processional cross:
crypt, An underground chamber for relics or tombs. See also catacomb. Types of crypt: confessio, hall crypt:
cubic capital, A simple cube-like capital with bottom corners tapered. The block capital is particularly characteristic of Ottonian and Romanesque architecture in Germany and England. See also capital, column Compare with: other types of capital.
cushion capital, A simple cube-like capital with bottom corners tapered. The block capital is particularly characteristic of Ottonian and Romanesque architecture in Germany and England. See also capital, column Compare with: other types of capital.
cusp, A curved, triangular-shaped projection from the inner curve of an arch or circle.
dado, Lower part of an interior wall, often decorated with arcading.
depressed arch, A flattened arch, slightly pointed on top. It appears in Late Gothic of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. See also arch. Compare with other types of arches.
diagonal ribs, The moldings which mark the diagonals in a rib vault. See also rib vault. Other types of ribs: lierne, ridge, tierceron, transverse:
diaper, A pattern formed by small, repeated geometrical motifs set adjacent to one another, used to decorate stone surfaces in architecture and as a background to illuminations in manuscripts, wall painting or panel painting.
dog tooth, An ornamental motif consisting of a square, four-leafed figure, the center of which projects in a point. It was a very populare in Early English (Early Gothic) architecture. Compare with other repetative decorative motifs.
dome, A hemispherical vault. See also semi-dome, squinch, pendentive:
donjon, A freestanding defense tower in a castle complex. Compare with motte-and-bailey:
drum pier, Massive circular support. See also: pier, alternation of support. Other types of piers: composite:
drum, A cylindrical wall which supports a dome.
east end, Refers to the end of the church where the main altar is placed and where the main part of the service takes place. Generally, medieval churches were oriented toward the east. However, topography of the land or other factors may have prevented an absolute east- west orientation for a church. The term east end, is generally used to describe the area where the main altar is placed in a medieval church, even in those cases where the church is not oriented exactly toward the east. Contrast with west end:
Ecclesia, Personification of Church. Often appears with Synagoga (Personification of Judaism) Personifications of the Church (Ecclesia) and Judism (Synagoga). Both appear as female figures- Ecclesia was crowned and holding a chalice and Synagoga was blindfolded and held the Tablets of the Law (the Ten Commandments given to Moses).
egg and dart, A repetative decorative motif often used in classical antiquity and copied in the Middle Ages. It consisited of oval (egg-shaped) motifs alternating with dart-like motifs. See also other repetative motifs.
engaged column, A column which is attached to a wall so that only half of the form projects from the wall. See also column.
Evangelist symbols, Symbols for the authors of the four New Testament books which are narratives of the life of Christ. These symbols were very common in manuscripts, sculpture and wall paintings, especially form the Early Medieval through the Romanesque periods. The symbols were: Matthew: angel (man), Mark: lion, Luke: ox, and John: eagle. : : : : : :
fan vault, A vault which consists of fan-shaped half cones which usually meet at the center of a vault. Other types of vaults: net vault, barrel, groin, quadripartite, sexpartite:
figured capital, A capital which is decorated with figures of animals, birds, or humans, used either alone or combined with foliage. The figures need not have any meaning, although they may be symbolic or part of a narrative sequence. Historiated capitals were most commonly used in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to mid-twelfth centuries.. See also capital, figured or historiated initial. See also other types of capital:
figured initial, An illuminated initial containing a figure, a group of figures, or a narrative scene. See also:illuminated initial, historiated capital Other types of illuminated initial: foliate, inhabited, pen flourished:
finial, An ornament at the tip of a pinnacle, spire or other tapering vertical architectural element. See also spire, pinnacle.
fleur-de-lis, Stylized lily which served as symbol for the French monarchy. Compare with:Tudor Rose:
floor plan, Horizontal cross-section of a building as the building would look at ground level. A ground plan shows the basic outlined shape of a building and, usually, the outlines of other interior and exterior features. Compare with cross section.
fluting, Shallow, concave grooves running vertically on a column, pilaster, or other surface. See also: column, shaft, pier, pilaster:
flying buttress, A free-standing buttress attached to the main vessel (nave, choir, or transept wall) by an arch or half-arch which transmits the thrust of the vault to the buttress attached to the outer wall of the aisle.
foliate capital, A capital decorated with foliage elements. See also column, pier, capital. See also other types of capital:
foliate initial, An illuminated initial filled with decoration in leaf scroll. See also:illuminated initial, foliate capital. Other types of illuminated initial: historiated, inhabited, pen flourished:
font, A receptacle for water, used for baptism. See also baptistery.
fortress church, A church built so that it might be used for defensive purposes.
gallery, An upper story over the aisle which opens onto the nave or choir. It corresponds in length and width to the dimensions of the aisle below it. Contrast with: triforium. See also: aisle, clerestory:
Greek cross, A cross with four arms of equal length. Compare with Latin cross:
Greek key, An ornamental motif consisting of continuous bands arranged in rectilinear forms. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
groin vault, A vault produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel (tunnel) vaults. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults may be pointed instead of round. See also: barrel vault:
grotesque, A marginal figure or animal, or hybrid combination of human and animal or plant, frequent especially in Gothic manuscript illumination and especially in marginal illumination.
ground plan, Horizontal cross-section of a building as the building would look at ground level. A ground plan shows the basic outlined shape of a building and, usually, the outlines of other interior and exterior features. Compare with cross section.
half timbering, A method of construction in which the wooden frame and principal beams of a building are exposed, and the spaces between them are covered with plaster or masonry. Usually used in domestic architecture.
hall crypt, A crypt in the form of a large space of uniform height, subdivided by columns. Other types of crypt: confessio. See also crypt:
hammer beam, A short horizontal beam, usually made of wood, extending from the top of a masonry wall outward towards the center of the enclosed space, but not completely traversing it. The projecting end is usually connected to the roof with a diagonal brace. The protruding ends of hammer beams were often elaborately carved.
hanging arch, An arch which has, or seems to have, no vertical supports. Compare with:blind arch:
hemicycle, The group of columns, arranged in a semicircular formation, that divide the east end of a choir from the ambulatory. See also ambulatory, choir:
historiated capital, A capital which is decorated with figures of animals, birds, or humans, used either alone or combined with foliage. The figures need not have any meaning, although they may be symbolic or part of a narrative sequence. Historiated capitals were most commonly used in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to mid-twelfth centuries.. See also capital, figured or historiated initial. See also other types of capital:
historiated initial, An illuminated initial containing a figure, a group of figures, or a narrative scene. See also:illuminated initial, figured or historiated capital. Other types of illuminated initial: foliate, inhabited, pen flourished:
hoarding, The use of covered wooden galleries (or hoards) erected on upper walls of a castle for defensive purposes. See also battlement,machicolation:
hood molding, A projecting molding on the wall above an arch. Compare withrelieving arch:
horseshoe arch, An arch shaped like a horseshoe. It is found particularly in Spain or in buildings influenced by Spanish ones. See also arch. Compare with other types of arches.
illuminated initial, In manuscript illumination, a highly ornamented letter, usually the first letter of a word. Types of illuminated initial: foliate, historiated,inhabited, pen flourished:
impost block, The slab at the top of a capital between the capital and the architectural member above. See also column, pier. Other parts of a column or pier: capital, shaft, column base.
infilling, The vault surface between the ribs of a rib vault. Compare with rib:
inhabited initial, an illuminated initial containing animals or human figures such as naked fighters. See also:illuminated initial. Other types of illuminated initial: foliate, historiated, pen flourished:
interlace, A decorative motif consisting of threads passing aver and under each other like threads in lace. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
intersecting arches, Arches which cross over each other in an arcade. See also: arcade, blind arcade:
Ionic capital, A capital used originally by the Greeks in a system of supports called the Ionic order. In the medieval period, the capital was often used without a strict adherence to the rest of the system. An Ionic capital has a volute, or a spiral scroll-like carving, on each side as its major decoration. Ionic capitals are relatively rare in medieval buildings. See also capital. See also other types of capital.
jamb figures, Statues carved on the jambs of a doorway or window. Jamb statues were often human figures- either religious figures or secular or ecclesiastical leaders. See also : jamb, trumeau figure:
jamb, A vertical element of a doorway or window frame. See also : trumeau, jamb figures:
keep, A freestanding defense tower in a castle complex. Compare with motte-and-bailey:
keystone, The voussoir at the top of an arch; in vaulting it occurs at the intersection of the ribs of a rib vault. It is important structurally since it marks the apex of the vault. See also: voussoir, rib vault, boss:
lancet, A slender, pointed window. See also mullion:
lantern, A small circular or polygonal structure, with windows all around the base, which opens above a larger tower or dome.
Latin cross, A cross with three short arms and one long arm. Compare with Greek cross:
lierne, A minor rib in a complex rib vault. Liernes do not spring from the main springers. Other types of ribs: diagonal, ridge,tierceron, transverse. See also rib vault, springer:
linenfold, decorative motif in the form of a folded piece of linen cloth. usually carved in low relief.
lintel, A flat horizontal beam which spans the space between two supports.
loggia, An exterior gallery, open on one or more sides, with a colonnade or an arcade.
longitudinal barrel vault, a barrel (or tunnel) vault which follows the main longitudinal direction of the nave. Usually when a vault is referred to simply as a barrel (or tunnel) vault, it may be assumed to be a longitudinal barrel vault. See also: barrel vault, groin vault:
longitudinal ridge rib, A rib which runs down the apex of the vault in a longitudinal direction. Other types of ribs: diagonal, lierne, tierceron, transverse rib. See also rib vault:
low relief, Sculpture in which the carved forms project only slightly from the background.
lozenge, A diamond shape. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
machicolation, A gallery projecting on brackets and built on the outside of castle towers and walls,with openings in the floor through which to drop molten lead, boiling oil, and missiles. Compare with hoarding:
mandorla, An almond-shaped motif in which Christ sits; sometimes used also for the Virgin.
mask head, An animal head employed in conjunction with interlace or foliage motifs.
mausoleum, Structure for a tomb. Compare with: sarcophagus, memorial brass:
meander, An ornamental motif consisting of continuous bands arranged in rectilinear forms. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
memorial brass, an engraved metal plate used as a commemorative monument. Sometimes these were set vertically, usually in a wall, but usually they were set horizonatlly, flush with the pavement of a church, to mark a tomb. The engraved areas were often filled with pigment. Compare with mausoleum, sarcophagus:
monstrance, Container for eucharistic wafers which contains an opening through which they can be viewed. See also ciborium (definition 1), paten, pxy:
mosaic, A decoration created by setting small pieces of glass, stone, or marble in a matrix- often concrete. Wall mosaics were most prevelent in the Early Christian and Byzantine periods, during which they were a very important form of wall decoration. See also tessera:
motte-and-bailey, A defensive system consisting of a mound of earth (the motte) with a wooden tower on top, placed within a courtyard (the bailey, also called the ward). Compare with keep:
mullion, The vertical element that separates the lancets of a window. Compare with lancet:
nail-head, An ornamental motif of small pyramids, said to represent the heads of nails. Very popular in the 12th century See also other repetative decorative motifs:
narthex, A low projection at the western end of a church, like a porch. Although narthex is sometimes used synonymously with westwork, a narthex is usually more open and often has only one story in contrast to the more closed westwork with a large open chamber on the upper level. Compare with westwork, screen facade. See also west end:
nave, The central longitudinal space of a bascilican church. It is usually flanked on its lond sides by aislas which are separated from the nave by columns or piers. In many churches, the lay congregation stand in the nave to attend religious services. Other parts of a church: ambulatory, apse, choir, crossing, east end, choir, transept, west end:
net vault, A vault on which a complex of ribs gives a net-like appearance. See also: rib vault. Other types of rib vaults:fan vault, quadripartite rib vault, sexpartite rib vault.
niche, A recess in the thickness of a wall. Contrast with:apse:
ogee arch, An arch with a pointed apex, formed by the intersection of two S curves usually confined to decoration and not used in arcade arches. Ogee arches were used only in the late Gothic period. Other types of arches:depressed, horseshoe:
ogive arch, An arch with a pointed apex, formed by the intersection of two S curves usually confined to decoration and not used in arcade arches. Ogee arches were used only in the late Gothic period. Other types of arches:depressed, horseshoe:
orans figure, A standing figure with both arms raised. This was a gesture of prayer in the Early Christian period.
orant figure, A standing figure with both arms raised. This was a gesture of prayer in the Early Christian period.
oriel, A projection from the upper story of a building. Oriels very often contain windows. Contrast with:loggia:
paten, A plate on which the eucharistic wafer was placed. See also: chalice, ciborium, monstrance, pyx:
pediment, A triangular space above a window or entrance. Originally the triangular space was formed by the end of a gable roof and later was used decoratively. Contrast with tympanum:
pen flourished initial, An ornamental initial characterized by abstract, rhythmic patterns, usually drawn in red or blue ink. Pen flourished initials were especially common during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. See also illuminated initial. Compare with other types of illuminated initial.
pendant, A hanging architectural member formed by ribs. Not to be confused with pendentive. Pendants of the appear in conjunction with fan vaults. See also fan vault:
pendentive, A spherical triangle which acts as a transition between a circular dome and a square base on which the dome is set. Contrast with squinch. Do not confuse with pendent:
phylactery, A scroll or roll (made of parchment), usually shown unfurled, sometimes containing lettering, signifying the Word of God.
pier, An upright support, generally square, rectangular, or composite. In medieval architecture there are massive circular supports called drum piers. Compare with column, pilaster. Types of pier: compound, drum. See also alternation of support:
pilaster, A true pilaster is a rectangular element of vertical masonry which projects only slightly from the wall and has both a capital and a base. Contrast with column, pier. Parts of pilasters: base, capital, shaft.
pinnacle, A pointed termination of a spire, buttress, or other extremity of a building. Pinnacles are sometimes ornamented. Compare with spire.
plate tracery, Tracery which uses thick areas of stone to separate glozed areas. The window may look as if it had been filled in with stone, then small openings cut through for the glass. The stone rather than the glass dominates the window. Contrast with: bar tracery:
portal, Any doorway or entrance but especially one that is large and imposing. See also: jamb, lintel,trumeau:
processional cross, A large cross on a staff, carried in processions on feast days of various church holidays. See also crozier:
pyx, A small box with a lid to contain the consecrated host. Compare with ciborium. See also: paten, chalice,monstrance:
quadripartite rib vault, A rib vault which is divided into four sections by two diagonal ribs. See also rib vault. Other types of rib vaults: fan, net, sexpartite:
quatrefoil, An ornamental form which has four lobes or foils. It may resemble a four-petaled flower. Compare with: cinqfoil, trefoil:
refectory, A dining room in a monastery. Other parts of monastery: chapter house, cloister, scriptorium.
relieving arch, An arch which encloses an arch or a window or other opening. It helps relieve some of the weight on the arch of the opening. Compare with blind arch:
reliquary, A container for relics. Often reliquaries were in the form of caskets, though it was quite common for them to be shaped like statues or body parts (such as hands or heads). Compare with: monstrance.
retable, An altarpiece, decorated with painting or sculpture which stands at the back of an altar.
rib vault, A masonry vault with a relatively thin web and set within a framework of ribs. Types of rib vaults: fan, net, quadripartite, sexpartite Compare with: barrel or tunnel vault, groin vault:
rib, An arch of masonry, often molded, which forms part of the framework on which a vault rests. Ribs generally project from the undersurface of the vault. See also rib vault. Types of ribs: diagonal rib, lierne, ridge rib, tierceron, transverse rib. Compare with infilling or webbing:
ridge rib, A rib which runs down the apex of the vault in a longitudinal direction. Other types of ribs: diagonal, lierne, tierceron, transverse rib. See also rib vault:
rise, (of an arch or a vault): The vertical distance between the spring line of an arch or vault and the keystone or boss. See also boss, keystone, span, spring line.
rose window, A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation. Compare with lancet window.
sarcophagus, A stone coffin, often bearing sculpture, inscriptions, etc. Compare with: mausoleum, memorial brass:
screen facade, A facade which is so highly decorated with sculpture or other decorative elements that it acts as a screen placed in front of the facade. It may seem to hide the face of the building from view. Compare with: narthex, westwork. See also: west end:
scriptorium, Area in a monastery where books and documents were written, copied, and illuminated. Other parts of monastery: chapter house, cloister, refectory:
segmented dome, A dome placed over a polygonal base. It is not a semi-sphere, but is formed of curved sections which correspond to the parts of the polygon on which it rests. Compare with pendentive, squinch:
semi-dome, A half dome. Compare with dome:
sexpartite rib vault, A rib vault which is divided into six sections. sexpartite rib vault: A rib vault whose surface is divided into six sections by three ribs. See also rib vault. Other types of rib vaults: fan, net, quadripartite:
shaft, The structural member which serves as the main support of a column or pier. The shaft is between the capital and the base. See also abacus or impost block, base, capital, column, pier:
socle, A low projecting base for a wall or statue. See also jamb figures, trumeau figure:
soffit, The underside of an arch, opening, or projecting architectural element. See also: arch. Other parts of an arch: keystone, springer, voussoir.
span, (of an arch or vault) The horizontal distance between the two supporting members of an arch or vault. See also boss, keystone, rise, spring line.
spandrel, The roughly triangular wall space between two adjacent arches. See also arcade:
spiral staircase, A staircase whose steps wind around a central, vertical axis.
spire, An elongated, pointed structure which rises from a tower, turret,or roof. Compare with pinnacle:
spring line, (of an arch or a vault) The point or line at which an arch or vault begins to curve. See also arch, rise, span.
springer, The lowest voussoir on each side of an arch. It is where the vertical support for the arch terminates and the curve of the arch begins. See also: arch, keystone, voussoir:
squinch, An arch, or a system of concentrically wider and gradually projecting arches, placed at the corners of a square base to act as the transition to a circular dome placed on the base.. Contrast with pendentive:
stringcourse, A continuous projecting horizontal band set in the surface of a wall and usually molded.
Synagoga Personification of Judiasm, Often appears with Ecclesia (Personification of church). Both appear as female figures, Ecclesia crowned and holding a chalice and Synagoga blindfolded and holding the tablets of the law.
tessera, Small piece of stone, glass,etc. used in making a mosaic. See also: mosaic:
tesserae, Plural of tessera. Small piece of stone, glass,etc. used in making a mosaic. See also: mosaic:
tierceron, A major rib in a complex rib vault Tiercerons spring from the main springers. See also: rib vault, springer. Other types of ribs: lierne, ridge, diagonal, transverse:
transept, A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis of a basilica-type building and projects beyond it. The transept gives a basilica the shape of a Latin cross and usually serves to separate the main area of the building from an apse at the end. Other parts of a church: ambulatory, apse, choir, crossing, east end, nave, west end:
transverse arch, Supporting arch which runs across the vault from side to side, dividing the bays. it usually projects down from the surface of the vault. Compare with transverse rib:
transverse rib, The projecting bands which mark the transverse arches of a rib vault. See also rib vault, springer. Other types of ribs: lierne, ridge, diagonal, tierceron:
trefoil, An ornamental form which has three lobes or foils. Compare with: cinqfoil, quatrefoil:
tribune, An upper story over the aisle which opens onto the nave or choir. It corresponds in length and width to the dimensions of the aisle below it. Contrast with: triforium. See also: aisle, clerestory:
triforium passage, A narrow passage in the thickness of the wall with arches opening onto the nave. It may occur at the level of the clerestory windows, or it may be located as a separate level below the clerestory. It may itself have an outer wall of glass rather than stone. Contrast with gallery or tribune. See also: clerestory:
triforium, A narrow passage in the thickness of the wall with arches opening onto the nave. It may occur at the level of the clerestory windows, or it may be located as a separate level below the clerestory. It may itself have an outer wall of glass rather than stone. Contrast with gallery or tribune. See also: clerestory:
trumeau figure, Statue decorating a trumeau. Usually this was a human figure, very often a religious personage. See also: jamb figures, trumeau:
trumeau, Vertical architectural member between the leaves of a doorway. Trumeaus were often highly decorated. See also: jamb, trumeau figure:
tunnel vault, The simplest form of a vault, consisting of a continuous surface of semicircular or pointed sections. It resembles a barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half lengthwise. Compare with groin vault. Types of barrel vault longitudinal,:
twisted ribbon, An ornamental motif of thin, continuous bands arranged in in a rectilinear fashion, and represented as if the bands were three dimensional. See also other repetative decorative motifs:
tympana, The basically semicircular area enclosed by the arch above the lintel of an arched entranceway. This area is often decorated with sculpture in the Romanesque and Gothic periods. See also arch, lintel, portal:
tympanum, (plural, tympana) The basically semicircular area enclosed by the arch above the lintel of an arched entranceway. This area is often decorated with sculpture in the Romanesque and Gothic periods. See also: arch, lintel, portal:
voussoir, One of the wedge-shaped stones used in constructing an arch. See also: arch,archivolt Types of voussoir: key stone, springer:
webbing, The vault surface between the ribs of a rib vault. Compare with rib:
west end, The area of the church opposite the east end. The west end usually functions as the main entrance to the church. Contrast with east end. See also: screen facade, narthex. westwork:
Westwerk, An entrance area at the west end of a church with upper chamber and usually with a tower or towers. It is normally broader than the width of the nave and aisles. Westwork is sometimes used synonymously with narthex. Compare with: narthex, screen facade:
westwork, (from German Westwerk) An entrance area at the west end of a church with upper chamber and usually with a tower or towers. It is normally broader than the width of the nave and aisles. Westwork is sometimes used synonymously with narthex. Compare with: narthex, screen facade:
Source Cited
Vadnal, Jane. Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture, http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/INDEX.HTM. Last accessed: September 20, 2018.