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Crocket

From Quire, the open reference·Decorative element common in Gothic architecture·1 min read
Crocketed spire of the Notre-Dame Church in Vitré, France
Crocketed spire of the Notre-Dame Church in Vitré, France Image: source and license

A crocket (or croquet) is a small, independent decorative element common in Gothic architecture.[1] The name derives from the diminutive of the Old French croc, meaning "hook", due to the resemblance of a crocket to a bishop's crook-shaped crosier.[2] Crockets, in the form of stylized carvings of curled leaves, buds or flowers, are used at regular intervals to decorate (for example) the sloping edges of spires, finials, pinnacles, and wimpergs.[3][4]

A finial with several crockets, at Gore Hall, Harvard University
A finial with several crockets, at Gore Hall, Harvard University Image: source and license
Crocket capitals on Laon Cathedral
Crocket capitals on Laon Cathedral Image: source and license
A 20th century crocketed gable on Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim
A 20th century crocketed gable on Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim Image: source and license

When crockets decorate the capitals of columns, these are called crocket capitals. Crocket capitals were particularly common in Early Gothic architecture, falling out of fashion in the 13th century. Crockets were also used as an ornament on furniture and metalwork in the Gothic style.[5] Like many other aspects of Gothic architecture, crockets became fashionable again in the 19th century as part of the Gothic Revival.

References#edit

  1. ^ "Crocket | architecture". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  2. ^ "Definition of CROCKET". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  3. ^ "crocket, architecture". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-09-08. crocket, in architecture, a small, independent, sharply projecting medieval ornament, usually occurring in rows, and decorated with foliage. In the late 12th century, when it first appeared, the crocket had the form of a ball-like bud, with a spiral outline, similar to an uncurling fern frond; but in the later Gothic period it took the form of open, fully developed leaves that by the 15th century had evolved into richly involuted forms. Crockets are used especially on the inclined edges of spires, pinnacles, and gables and are also found on capitals and cornices.
  4. ^ Bloxam, Matthew Holbeche. "Of the Decorated English Style". The Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture. Publio Kiadó Kft. ISBN 9789633819135. Retrieved 7 March 2023. The doorways of this style are frequently enriched with pedimental and ogee-shaped canopies, ornamented with crockets and finials; of which the north doorway of Exeter Cathedral and the south doorway of Everdon Church, Northamptonshire, may be cited as examples.
  5. ^ "Capital | architecture". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-09-08.


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