Unique Gothic Cathedral Features
Definitions as seen at elore.com
Antependium : Decorated frontispiece to an altar, featuring allegorical figures in tapestry or carved forms.
Canopy : An overhanging shade or shelter above an artwork or statue, sometimes situated upon pillars.
Capital : The upper element of an architectural pillar, often finely decorated in Romanesque and Early Gothic structures.
Column figure : A statue or sculpted figure which serves as a supportive or decorative shaft within a portal.
Gargoyle : From the Old French: gargouille, meaning: throat. The word refers to sound which water makes as it passes through the gullet. Originally a reference to the drains atop cathedrals which were later carved into the form of beasts or animals.
Iconography : Religious imagery painted upon wooden panels. The term is also used to define the study of symbolism as it relates to the subject of a work of art.
Lady chapel : Found in all the Notre Dames, as well as many of the Great Cathedrals and churches, the Lady chapel is usually located behind the Sanctuary. These spaces are dedicated to—sometimes set aside for the use of—Mary, the Blessed Virgin.
Latin cross : A cross form which contains one arm that is longer than the other three, traditionally the base arm. This is the accepted manner of the Crucifixion cross, based upon the upright beam and crossbar commonly used by the Romans for execution. As a central Christian symbol this motif is utilized in many forms, from literal sculpted figures of the Martyrdom to Cruciform floorplans of churches and cathedrals.
Maestà : Artwork or sculpture which portrays the Madonna and the Christ child upon a throne, usually attended by angels or saints.
Pieta : Artwork or sculpture which portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Christ upon her lap.
Relic : A sacred object venerated because of its association to a martyr or saint, in certain instances, remains of the saint.
Retable : Sometimes referred to as Reredos, these sculpted structures form the back of altars.
Ridge turret : Found more commonly on churches without towers, located over the crossing and named for their location on the ridge of the roof.
Rood Screen : An ornamented piece which serves on the Altar as a separation between the Choir and the Nave. Quite often Rood Screens will contain or support a crucifix.
Rose window : Evolving from the simple round windows of the Romanesque period these intricate works of glass, metal and stone literally flowered into holistic representations of the known Universe. While glass windows were used in cathedrals of other countries, the Rose Window was initially a French creation; incorporated initially at St. Denis.
Image at right : Detail of Rose window at Rheims cathedral, France.
Roundel : From the Old French: rondel, meaning small circle. In architecture: a curved panel or window recess.
Sacred Conversation : Artwork or sculpture which portrays the Madonna and Christ child contained in the same setting with saints & angels.
Sarcophagus : A sculpted stone tomb or wooden coffin, adorned with ornamentation.
Tabernacle : A ceilinged alcove used for the display of statuettes or art pieces.
Tetramorph : An allegorical figure containing the symbols of the four Evangelists; lion, eagle, bull and man. Traditionally, these are associated to Mark, John, Luke and Matthew.
Triptych : A three paneled art piece, either image or carving, linked by hinges, used in religious iconography.
Tympanum : The curved vertical space between the arch and the lintel of a doorway. This location was often considered the premier site on a structure for sculpture, and so contained significant scenes such as the Last Judgment or Christ enthroned.
