Oriel Windows, St. Gallen

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From Other Guides • What is an Oriel Window? • Corbels

What is an Oriel Window?

An oriel window projects from the side of a building but doesn't touch the ground (see the picture above for examples). In the United States, a bay window, when it projects from an upper story and is supported by corbels, is the closest cousin to the gothic examples we're going to present. (A corbel is the bracket that supports the structure).

Why are the Oriel Windows of St. Gallen different?

Well, it's mostly in those supporting brackets, the corbels. Most utilitarian corbels are simple wooden "L" brackets that appear to support the oriel window. St. Gallen corbels, however, have evolved into a whole other art form, as you can see from the pictures below, especially the second and third. In the second set you'll see fine examples of oriel windows in Nuremberg, Germany.

Oriel Windows of St. Gallen - Click to enlarge pictures
St. Gallen	oriel window	ornate corbeling

Oriel Windows of Nuremberg (Nürnberg)

photos © 2002 by James Martin, Licensed to About.

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