Dutch gable ..................... Illustrated Architecture Dictionary ............................Amsterdam - Table of Contents
Amsterdam Canal House Gables
Amsterdam, Netherlands
"Gable" refers to the front apex of a roof. It disguised the steepness of the roof under which goods were stored. In time, gables became decorated with scrolls, crests, and even coats of arms.
In Amsterdam, the interiors of many of the canal buildings have been modernized, but the gables remain intact.
The protruding hoist beams are used in moving objects (like furniture and appliances) through windows since stairways are quite narrow.
The style of most of the gables is 17th century Baroque.
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Triangular gable |
Step gables were in vogue between 1600-65 |
Step gable |
Step gable |
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Step gable |
Step gable. Note the wrought iron tie rods |
Warehouse-style spout gable |
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Neck gables were common from 1640-1840. Note the coquillage and cartouches |
Neck gable (left and center) and warehouse spout gable on the right |
Neck gable with broken pediment |
Neck gable |
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Neck gable |
Neck gable. Note the coquillage |
Neck gable ....... Scroll buttresses |
Neck gable with dolphin scroll buttresses |
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Neck gable topped with 17th century dentilated rounded pediment |
Neck gable. Note three coquillages |
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Neck gable with rounded pediment and festoon |
Neck gable with blind arch |
Bell gable |
Bell gable, popular from the late 17th century. (A bird stands on the gable) |
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Bell gable |
Bell gable |
Bell gable |
Bell gable |
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Bell gable |
Bell gable |
Bell gable |
Note similarity of the mirror shape to a 17th century Baroque bell gable. |
