A crocket (or croquet) is a small, independent decorative element common in Gothic architecture. 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.
Description
Crockets, in the form of stylized carvings of curled
leaf, buds or
, are used at regular intervals to decorate (for example) the sloping edges of
,
,
, and
.
[
][
]
As ornaments
When crockets decorate the capitals of
, these are called
crocket capitals. This element is also used as an ornament on
furniture and
metalwork in the Gothic style.
Examples
-
All Souls College – Oxford
-
Canterbury Cathedral
-
Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral – Paris
-
León Cathedral – Spain
-
Duke Chapel
External links