Throughout time the gargoyle sculpture has been typical of Western Europe. It seems that the gargoyle sculpture originates in the Greek architectsí idea of setting terra cota or marble lion heads on the roof cornice, usually for the practical purpose of diverting rain water away from the building roof to the street. In Western Europe gargoyle sculpture pieces stick out from churches and cathedrals mainly, but from houses and town halls roofs, too. These artistic creations are sculpted or carved of stone, usually, in the form of either people and animals or, most commonly, fantastic beasts that look really scary.

 

The dictionary definition for gargoyle is: ì a spout usually in the form of a grotesquely carved face or figure, projecting from a roof gutterî and probably derives from the Old French ëgargouilleí and the Late Latin ëgurgulioí, which both mean throat. According to Bob Trubshaw, 23 February 1999, in the BritArch archives, “gargoyles (in the strict sense) are carvings on the outside of buildings designed to direct water from the roof away from the base of the walls… …Some gargoyles are undecorated but many are zoomorphic or anthropomorphic – often very imaginative and/or grotesque. This has led to the term ‘gargoyle’ being applied more widely to any grotesque carving in medieval buildings.”

Therefore, no matter whether the creator of the practical purpose in mind or intended the gargoyle sculpture asa means of decorating a building, the gargoyle sculpture started being used in ancient times, flourished in the Medieval age and continued up to the present. In the last years, gargoyle sculpture has been adopted by cartoon creators, making gargoyls into cult animals in Neo-Gothic circles, especially in internet fantasy literature where they appear to be more like naughty than evil as they used to be perceived in the past. The initial use and meaning of the gargoyle sculpture has changed as the meaning of the word gargoyle has. Now gargoyle seems to mean more an ugly or grotesque creature, especially since it lives on buildings and rocks.

Another belief, from the past, about having gargoyle sculpture pieces on buildings, was that they serve as protectors which kept away evil spirits that might try to spoil/corrupt the buildings. A different use of the gargoyle sculpture was for religious education purposes. At present, anyway, the gargoyle sculpture is used merely as Gothic ornament or icon. The best known examples of gargoyle sculpture items are from the Medieval period, a time when most people could not read. Therefore the  carvings served the role of books, telling stories and reporting on life. If you are interested in buying a gargoyle sculpture or learning more about gargoyles you can search the stores and workshops in your area. Nevertheless the best alternative for this is for you to search the Internet.

Posted by Phillipe / Home Sculptures and Wall Sculptures and Yard Sculptures