Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ............................. Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary
Illustrated Architecture Dictionary .............................
Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary
Corbel
KOR bl, kor BELL
Corbel
[Overlapping] corbels in a corbel table
Architecture1. A projecting bracket of stone, brick, etc., which supports a cornice, arch, or oriel
2. An overlapping arrangement of bricks or stones [overlapping corbels] in which each course extends farther out from the vertical of the wall than the course below. Usually supports a cornice or overhanging member. Example: Right illustration above.
French: "corbel" = a raven; hence, a beak-like projectionFound in almost all styles of architecture
An ancone is a type of corbel
Corbel table: A projecting molded stringcourse supported by a range of corbels. Sometimes these corbels carry a small arcade under the stringcourse [arcaded corbel table]. Not to be confused with a blind arcade.
Corbel arch: An archlike structure in which the sides are formed by corbeling; construction like an arch but composed of masonry courses corbeled until they meet; a structure which spans an opening like an arch by having successive courses of masonry project farther inward as they rise on each side of the gap.
A "true arch" uses a keystone, which is tapered from top to bottom. That allows a smooth, round curve. The corbel arch was a predecessor to that.
FurnitureThe corbel was adapted for use in interiors and on furniture, and was popular in Renaissance designs.
CORBEL examples from Buffalo architecture:
- Left illustration above: Hotel Touraine
- Corbel: The Schoellkopf-Vom Berge Manor
- Corbel table: Foster House, 3 St. John's Place
- Corbel table: Granger House - Example #1
- Corbel table: Granger House - Example #2
- Corbel table: Jefferson Avenue Shul
- Corbels supporting cornice: 409 Linwood Ave. - Example #1
- Corbels supporting cornice: 409 Linwood Ave. - Example #2
- Corbels supporting arch: Robert B. Adam House
- Corbel: Eberhardt House
- Corbel: Central Presbyterian Church
- Corbel supporting oriel: H.H. Little House
- Corbel supporting oriel: 33 Days Park
- Corbel supporting oriel: Stephen M. Clement House/Red Cross Building
- Corbel supporting balconet: The Midway, 475 Delaware Ave
- Middle illustration above: Overlapping corbels: Connecticut Street Armory
- Arcaded corbel table: 696 Seneca Street
- Overlapping corbels: 170 Park Street
- Overlapping corbels: 384 Broadway
- Overlapping corbels: 186 North Street
- Overlapping corbels: (former) Mount St. Joseph's School
- Overlapping corbels: Old Editions Book Shop and Café
- Overlapping corbels: The Granite Works, 854 Main Street
- Right illustration above: Arcaded corbel table: St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- Arcaded corbel table: 321 Ellicott St.
- Arcaded corbel table: Plymouth Methodist Church / Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
- Arcaded corbel table: Buffalo Gas Light Company
- Arcaded corbel table: St. Joseph's RC Cathedral
CORBEL TABLE examples outside of Buffalo:
- Arcaded corbel table: Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy
- Arcaded corbel table: Russian Orthodox Church, Geneva, Switzerland
- Arcaded corbel table: Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano, Taormina, Sicily
- Arcaded corbel table: Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano, Taormina, Sicily
- Overlapping corbels: 102 Main Street, Albion, NY
