| Corbels, or decorative brackets, are one of the most | | | | window-sills or oriel windows flourish. Gothic Revival |
| versatile decorative ornaments that can be used to | | | | style homes and buildings are often built with oriel |
| enhance the architectural beauty of any room. Corbels | | | | windows. |
| are growing in popularity and can be used just about | | | | Corbels occasionally end with a point that looks like it is |
| anywhere. By definition, a corbel is an architectural | | | | growing into the wall or forming a knot. These are |
| bracket or projection from a wall. They often support | | | | many times bolstered by angels and other figures. In |
| a cornice, or moldings, an arch, or some other type of | | | | later periods, carved foliage and other ornamentation |
| overhang. | | | | was adopted. |
| In Medieval architecture, a corbel was the name given | | | | Corbelling, which has been used since Neolithic times, is |
| to a piece of stone which jutted out from the wall | | | | a technique where rows of corbels support a parapet |
| whose purpose was to support any weight lying on | | | | or a projecting wall. Between the supporting corbels of |
| top of it. A 'tassel' or 'bragger' was the name given to | | | | the battlement, was an opening in the floor called a |
| a piece of timber extending out from the wall instead. | | | | machicolation. Stones, burning objects or hot liquids |
| The word corbel actually originates from the Old | | | | could be released onto enemies or attackers at the |
| French and is derived from the Latin corbellus meaning | | | | foot of the defensive wall. |
| raven, referring to its beak-like feature. Corbels are | | | | Common in Medieval architecture, corbelling later |
| made from wood, plaster, marble, stone and | | | | became a decorative feature without the openings of |
| polyurethane. Corbels are used interiorly as well as on | | | | the machicolations. Corbelling which supports upper |
| a home's exterior. Decorative corbels can be used to | | | | stories and corner turrets became typical of the |
| adorn cabinets, furniture, pilasters, and door panels or | | | | Scottish Baronial style during the 18th and early 19th |
| as brackets for shelves and mantels. | | | | centuries. |
| While Romanesque corbels were often plain in | | | | Today, decorating with architectural corbels has been |
| appearance, occasionally they were also carved into | | | | adopted by homeowners, interior decorators, builders, |
| heads of humans, animals and other patterns. | | | | millworkers and furniture designers. Use corbels with |
| Sometimes they were carved into imaginary beasts. | | | | crown molding to add flair and style to any home |
| Structures built during the Early English period were | | | | restoration project. Create lasting impressions and |
| frequently decorated with elaborately carved corbels. | | | | beautiful architectural designs that reflect anyone's |
| Corbels of great size and beauty, with rich carvings, | | | | personal style. Decorative brackets are great accents |
| carried balconies in Italy and France. These were | | | | to use on furniture, walls, as art, or even on the |
| some of the greatest examples of the Italian 16th | | | | exterior of a home. They truly are setting trends |
| century style. In England, wooden corbels bearing | | | | across America! |