{"id":1213,"date":"2010-10-21T15:22:10","date_gmt":"2010-10-21T15:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=1213"},"modified":"2021-05-06T09:03:44","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T09:03:44","slug":"10-questions-on-%e2%80%a6-gargoyles-and-grotesques","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=1213","title":{"rendered":"Gargoyle or grotesque? That’s the question"},"content":{"rendered":"

A gargoyle or grotesque is probably one of the most mysterious building features you will find, but what are they for? We look at the purpose of these building features and the history of their use, and explain the meanings of the many shapes and likenesses.<\/p>\n

1. What is a Gargoyle?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Gargoyle is a carved stone character used for drainage purposes to the side of a building.<\/p>\n

2. What is its purpose?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is to prevent the rainwater that lands on the roof of a building from flowing down the side walls, so it does not erode the mortar joints or cause water damage to the fabric of the building.<\/p>\n

3. How does it work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is usually a channel in its back or through the stone and this directs the flow of water through a specific aperture, normally the gargoyle\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 The rainwater runs off from the roof and is projected several feet from the walls, thereby protecting the mortar and walls.<\/p>\n

The bigger the gargoyle, the further the water is ejected from the side of the building.\u00a0 A lead pipe was often placed in the gargoyle\u2019s mouth to extend the reach and protect the carving from erosion.<\/p>\n

4. Why is it called a Gargoyle?<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the French word for throat \u201cgargouille\u201d which in turn came from the Latin \u201cgurgulio\u201d.\u00a0 Connected to the French verb\u00a0gargariser,<\/em>\u00a0which means \u201cto gargle\u201d.\u00a0 In German, the name used translates as \u201cwater spitter\u201d or \u201cwater vomiter\u201d.<\/p>\n

5. When were Gargoyles first used?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is unknown. We know that they were used in Ancient Egypt (usually in the form of lions\u2019 heads).\u00a0 We also know that they were used on the Temple of Zeus on Olympia constructed about 470 BC, where nearly 40 gargoyles of the original\u00a0 100 or so are still identifiable.<\/p>\n

6. What are the most famous Gargoyles in the World?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Probably those on the Notre Dame de Paris on the Ile de la Cite, which feature in the \u201cHunchback of Notre Dame\u201d and have been photographed many thousands of times.<\/p>\n

7. Where am I likely to see Gargoyles close by?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any medieval building is likely to feature gargoyles.\u00a0 Probably local churches are the most likely place to spot them.<\/p>\n

\"Grotesque<\/p>\n

8. What do the figures that are carved mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some figures mean a lot and were used to help ward off evil spirits and such like, and to indicate that within the church you were protected from the evil outside.\u00a0 At the time of construction of most churches, the majority of the population was illiterate.\u00a0 Some of the figures were used therefore to provide a permanent visual statement to the parishioners.\u00a0 Some were purely decorative and on some stately homes they identified the family\u2019s heraldic animals or reputations.<\/p>\n

9. Are all Gargoyles animals?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not necessarily.\u00a0 Lots of gargoyles are \u201cChimeras\u201d.\u00a0 These are carvings of faces which are often distorted into the grotesque and are also often a mixture of animals or mythical animals such as centaurs, harpies, dragons and griffins.\u00a0 They are often misshapen and distorted faces and creatures, sometimes even human.\u00a0 It is also understood that on a number of cathedrals there are relatively normal decorative faces used as one of a series of \u201cgargoyle\u201d features that in a few instances are reported to be made by the skilled stone carvers leaving behind them a carving of themselves or close family members for posterity.<\/p>\n

10. Why are some Gargoyles called Grotesques?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"stone<\/p>\n

A grotesque is simply the carving of a face (or body and face) of an animal or creature on the side of a building which does not serve as an outlet for water run off.\u00a0 Therefore a grotesque simply serves a decorative function rather than a practical one.\u00a0 Many people use the expression \u201cgargoyle\u201d when they mean a grotesque stone carving, mounted on the side of a building.<\/p>\n

So you now know the difference between a gargoyle and grotesque.<\/p>\n

\u00a9www.PropertySurveying.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A gargoyle or grotesque is probably one of the most mysterious building features you will find, but what are they for? We look at the purpose of these building features and the history of their use, and explain the meanings of the many shapes and likenesses. 1. What is a Gargoyle? A Gargoyle is a … Continue reading “Gargoyle or grotesque? That’s the question”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25074,"parent":22315,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"folder":[564],"class_list":["post-1213","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nGargoyle or grotesque? That's the question | Property Surveying<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A gargoyle or grotesque is one of the most mysterious of building features but what's the difference and what are they for? 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