A B C of Gothic Architecture

by John Henry Parker

Niche with the Figure, Dorchester, Oxon.

The Moldings have been already mentioned in describing the doorways, where they are most abundantly used; they are, however, freely employed on all other arches, whether the pier-arches, or over windows, wall arcades, &c., and frequently also as horizontal strings or tablets. One of the most usual and characteristic Norman strings exactly resembles the abacus of the capital, or the impost of the pier, with a hollow chamfer under it; another is merely chamfered off above and below, forming a semi-hexagonal projection.

Norman Chamfer.

Chevron, or zig-zag, with Beads.

Norman ornaments are of endless variety; the most common is the chevron, or zig-zag, and this is used more and more abundantly as the work gets later; it is found at all periods, even in Roman work of the third century, and probably earlier, but in all early work it is used

The Star.