The Quadrangle
Dripstones
In architecture, a dripstone is a projecting moulding over the heads of doorways, windows, archways, niches, etc, in Norman and Gothic architecture, either for ornament or to throw off the rain, and commonly terminates with a head, an animal, or other sculptured ornament.
There are many examples in the Quadrangle, and a few appear below.
- Dripstones with carved faces
- Dripstones with grotesques
- Dripstones with animals
- Dripstones with floral motifs
Information is from "Stained Glass and Stone" by Bertha McKenzie.
Photos are courtesy of the University Secretariat. Click on most images for enlargement.
A DRIPSTONE TERMINATING WITH SCULPTURED ORNAMENTS
DRIPSTONES WITH CARVED FACES
The following sculptured ornaments at the ends of dripstones on the Great Hall are carved faces, some of which are of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert while the rest are unknown:
Two carved faces.
The carved face of Queen Victoria.
The carved face of Prince Albert.
Another carved face of Queen Victoria.
Carving of the face of an unknown person.
Carving of the face of an unknown person.
Carving of the face of an unknown person.
Carving of the face of an unknown person.
Carving of the face of an unknown person.
The following carvings are at the end of dripstones under the Nicholson Gateway:
Carving of the face of an unknown person under the Nicholson Gateway.
DRIPSTONES WITH GROTESQUES
Grotesques beneath a dripstone on the Great Hall.
A grotesque beneath a dripstone on the South range.
A grotesque at the other terminal of a dripstone on the South range.
DRIPSTONES WITH ANIMALS
An eagle motif at one end of a dripstone above a coat of arms on the Great Hall.
A horse carving under a dripstone above a coat of arms on the Great Hall.
DRIPSTONES WITH FLORAL MOTIFS
A floral motif at one terminal of the dripstone above the entrance to the Great Hall.
A floral motif at the other terminal of the dripstone above the entrance to the Great Hall.
A floral motif beneath a dripstone on the East range.
A floral motif at the opposite end of the dripstone on the East range.
LB