APPENDIX F

SUGGESTED GRAVESTONE TERMINOLOGY

These notes present some suggested terms and labels. They will not be agreed upon by all monumental masons and other interested parties.

All built features on a grave are monuments.

Gravestones are actual markers (i.e. headstones, footstones, sculpture).

The most common type is the upright slab or stele.

Plinth - course in contact with ground only.

Pedestal - any other courses.


Six major classes of monument shape are defined:

A.   Upright slabs/stelae

B.   Crosses

C.   Pillars

D.   Sculptures

E.   Horizontal slabs

F.   Miscellaneous

 
A. UPRIGHT SLABS/STELAE


1. Rectangular


2. Cambered


3. Semicircular


4. Semicircular with shoulders


5. Semicircular with acroteria


6. Semicircular with cut away shoulders


7. Gothic


8. Gothic with shoulders


9. Gothic with acroteria


10. Ogee

11. Anthropomorphic

12. Anthropomorphic with peaked shoulders

13. Gabled

14. Pedimented

15. Gabled with shoulders

16. Gabled with peaked shoulders

17. Stepped

18. Cruciform

19. Cross surmount with shoulders

20. Circular surmount with shoulders

21. Diamond

22. Double

23. Stylised double

24. Miscellaneous e.g. Heart
B. CROSSES

1. Circular Latin

2. Rustic Latin

3. Roman/Latin (with 3 steps - Calvary)

4. Celtic

5. Saxon

6. Cornish

7. Eastern/Russian Orthodox

8. Lorraine
C. PILLARS

1. Pedestal (Champhered base)

2. Obelisk (Stepped base)

3. Column

4. Broken Column
D. SCULPTURES

1. Urn

2. Draped Urn

3. Angel

4. Composite - Angel and Cross
E. HORIZONTAL SLABS

1. Table

2. Table

3. Altar

4. Sarcophagus

1. Coffin

2. Slab and desk
DESK DECORATION

1. Tablet

2. Book

3. Scroll
F. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Iron 'Etna'

2. Cairn

3. Rustic pedestal

4. Pyramid

5. Stepped Pyramid
G. SURROUNDS
These are usually distinguished by material and motif.
Examples: Cast iron Wood Arrowheads
Wrought iron Concrete Fler de Lys
Stone Brick Floral Motif


1. Timber Picket

2. Iron Picket

3. Stone

H. EMBELLISHMENT

Architectural terms should generally be used.

Examples:


1. Cusps

2. Dentils

3. Crockets

4. Columns (separate)

5. Pilasters (relief)