In
architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...
, a boss is a decorative knob on a ceiling, wall or sculpture.
Bosses can often be found in the
ceilings of buildings, particularly at the
keystones at the intersections of a
rib vault.
In
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...
, such roof bosses (or ceiling bosses) are often intricately carved with foliage,
heraldic devices or other decorations. Many feature animals, birds, or human figures or faces, sometimes realistic, but often
Grotesque: the
Green Man is a frequent subject.
The Romanesque
Norwich Cathedral in
Norfolk
Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...
,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, has the largest number of painted carved stone bosses in the world; an extensive and varied collection of over one thousand individual pieces. Many of these decorated bosses still bear the original gilt and pigments from the time of their creation.
Gallery
File:Norwich cathedral choir vault (geograph 5461248).jpg, Norwich Cathedral's choir vault with multiple bosses
File:Salisbury Cathedral Detail Bosses.jpg, Early English roof bosses in Salisbury Cathedral, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
File:Abbey Dore painted Green Man.jpg, Green Man roof boss from Dore Abbey, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
File:Hereford cathedral 012.JPG, Bosses at Hereford Cathedral, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
File:Worcester cathedral 013.JPG, Bosses at Worcester Cathedral, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
File:Worcester cathedral 030.JPG, Bosses at Worcester Cathedral, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
File:Catedral de Barcelona - 002.jpg, Bosses at Barcelona Cathedral, Spain
File:F07 0080.JPG, Griffin boss at Cadouin Abbey (Dordogne
Dordogne ( , or ; ; ) is a large rural departments of France, department in south west France, with its Prefectures in France, prefecture in Périgueux. Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region roughly half-way between the Loire Valley and ...
, France)
File:F07 0091.JPG, Boss showing the Veil of Veronica at Cadouin Abbey, France
File:Lienzingen-Liebfrauenkirche 7.JPG, Madonna and Child boss in Germany
File:Coluna2.JPG, Bosses at Jerónimos Monastery, Portugal
File:St Mark's Cross 1.JPG, Boss on St Mark's Cross, Blessington (County Wicklow
County Wicklow ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The last of the traditional 32 counties, having been formed as late as 1606 in Ireland, 1606, it is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the Provinces ...
, Ireland)
See also
*
Bossage
*
Lifting boss
*
Three hares
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boss (Architecture)
Ornaments (architecture)