Corbels Guide

Throughout the history of corbels, there are basically two main time periods: the traditional and the modern. Each era is characterized by the use of different materials.

Traditional

To some extent this era has never ended. There are still corbels being used in the same ways that they were centuries ago: on the outside of stone buildings, in stone themselves. But basically the traditional era dates back to approximately medieval times and beyond. This is probably the image that many people have of corbels: marble and stone majestic support structures, outside stately and old buildings, often with gargoyles on top!

If we want to be even more exact, we can trace these pieces back into antiquity, when they were first brought into use during the Neolithic era. At that time we have the so-called Norman corbels which are very plain in design. Continue reading “Materials Used in Corbels – From Traditional to Modern”

Corbelling is rich in design history. In this article we’ll take a look at five of the most popular styles of corbels that are still in use today. This is not about the material, but rather the actual shape and design of these bracket supports. All of these styles can be found through most any corbel manufacturer / distributor worth his weight in salt today.

Acanthus

The acanthus plant is native to the Mediterranean area, but is found virtually everywhere these days. It has large and spiny leaves, and gives white and purple flowers. This is a very common type of corbel in use today. I suppose it is popular because it can be fairly easily carved and is a nice, light wooden color. The designs of these acanthus corbels are very intricate. They are also typically pretty wide, so this allows for even more detailing and patterns. Continue reading “Types of Corbels – Styles”