Gargoyle

Carved stone water spout.

Overview

Gargoyles, carved from stone, divert rainwater and decorate Gothic cathedrals, often as grotesque figures.

Core Characteristics

• Functional and decorative.
• Grotesque imagery.
• Gothic prevalence.

Notable Examples

• Notre Dame (France, 1345, iconic gargoyles).
• Cologne Cathedral (Germany, 1880, gargoyle spouts).

Architectural Connections

• Gothic: Decorative focus.
• Religious: Cathedrals.
• Gothic Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Led by Gothic craftsmen, it blends function and art.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Stone Carving (technique), Iconography (theory), Spout (element), Neo-Gothic (movement)