Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ...................... Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary

Grotesque (Grottesque)
grow TESK

Art chracterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of humans and animals interwoven with plants.

Sculptured or painted ornaments involving fanciful distortions of human and animal forms, sometimes combined with plant motifs, esp. a variety of arabesque which has no counterpart in nature.

Decorations in antiquities like sphinxes, masks, or fantastic monsters which combined human and plant and animal forms in a free manner: winged females, mermaids, etc.

Strapwork is frequently found in grotesques, but does not include fantastical creatures or garlands

The classic ornaments were rediscovered in grottos, hence the name. Raphael was one of the first artists to make use of them.

---

Examples from Buffalo:

• Illustration above: Renaissance Revival oak armchair - Old Editions Book Shop and Café
  
  
• Renaissance Revival library table - Kelly Schultz Antiques

Othr examples:

• Four grotesques: Tribune Tower, Chicago, Illinois
  
  
• Corbel #1 supporting balcony - Catania, Sicily
  
  
• Corbel #2 supporting balcony - Catania, Sicily