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Roof Boss

1400s
limestone with traces of polychromy
Overall: 73.7 x 73.7 cm (29 x 29 in.)
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1919.1023
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Description

In medieval architecture, a "boss" refers to an ornamentally carved, often painted and gilded, keystone. It was placed at the intersection of ribs in a vaulted roof in order to lock its members into position. Noteworthy examples are found in many of Europe's monastic cloisters and cathedrals. This example and the other shown nearby are reportedly from the vaulted ceiling of a monastery in Northern Spain. Their principal decorative motif consists of a spray of acanthus leaves.
Roof Boss

Roof Boss

1400s

Northern Spain, 15th century

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