Romanesque Chevron Ornament: The language of British, Norman and Irish sculpture in the twelfth century: The language of British, Norman and Irish sculpture in the twelfth century

This study deals with the form and development of a single type of architectural ornament, ubiquitous from the late eleventh to the early thirteenth centuries in northwestern Europe. Chevron ornament, or three-dimensional zigzag, has been described as the single most characteristic moulding, or indeed feature of any kind in Norman architecture in England. It is the most enduring of the decorative motifs that formed part of the so-called style géométrique, current in those areas in the earlier part of the twelfth century, and is found most typically decorating arches, string courses and columns in a wide variety of structures, from castles, to cathedrals to parish churches to the extent that for a period during the twelfth century its absence is more notable than its presence. Among the major preoccupations of scholarship in medieval art and architecture are the issues of authorship and chronology. Given the potential for a type of ornament such as chevron to reveal etymological characteristics it is surprising that studies of the apparent formal grammars of Romanesque ornament have not been more commonplace. It is with these issues in mind then that the current study sets out to explore the degree to which an architectural motif like chevron can be 'read' in a meaningful way.

this Study Deals With The Form And Development Of A Single Type Of Architectural Ornament, Ubiquitous From The Late Eleventh To The Early Thirteenth Centuries In Northwestern Europe. Chevron Ornament, Or Three-dimensional Zigzag, Has Been Described As The Single Most Characteristic Moulding, Or Indeed Feature Of Any Kind In Norman Architecture In England. It Is The Most Enduring Of The Decorative Motifs That Formed Part Of The So-called Style Geometrique, Current In Those Areas In The Earlier Part Of The Twelfth Century, And Is Found Most Typically Decorating Arches, Stringcourses And Columns In A Wide Variety Of Structures, From Castles, To Cathedrals To Parish Churches To The Extent That For A Period During The Twelfth Century Its Absence Is More Notable Than Its Presence. Among The Major Preoccupations Of Scholarship In Medieval Art And Architecture Are The Issues Of Authorship And Chronology. Given The Potential For A Type Of Ornament Such As Chevron To Reveal Etymological Characteristics It Is Surprising That Studies Of The Apparent Formal Grammars Of Romanesque Ornament Have Not Been More Commonplace. It Is With These Issues In Mind Then That The Current Study Sets Out To Explore The Degree To Which An Architectural Motif Like Chevron Can Be Read In A Meaningful Way.

Front Cover Title Page Copyright PREFACE TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS PUBLICATIONS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL AND ART HISTORICAL CONTEXTS CHAPTER 2: AN OUTLINE OF CHEVRON TYPES IN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORMANDY CHAPTER 3: AN ANALYSIS OF CHEVRON IN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORMANDY CHAPTER 4: CHEVRON ORNAMENT IN IRELAND CHAPTER 5: THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHEVRON ORNAMENT APPENDICES ILLUSTRATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY