Romanesque chevron ornament

Abstract

Chevron ornament was one of the most common forms of architectural decoration during the twelfth century, in particular in Normandy, England and Ireland, and is found in smaller concentrations throughout Europe during the same period. The lack of previous studies of the ornament, and difficulties traditionally encountered in describing the many different forms, have made it difficult to assess its art historical importance, and its potential use as a tool for dating buildings and for tracing the movement of medieval masons. Having outlined a standardised ‘grammar’ by which chevron can be described, this study traces the various forms of chevron found in England, Normandy and Ireland. The greatest variety of form is encountered in England, where a distinctive regional division is evident between north and south in the early years of the twelfth century. The chevron found in southern England during this period relates closely to contemporary Norman chevron forms, most of which are formed from sectional profiles already established in the ‘straight’ mouldings vocabulary.