Saturday 1 October 2011

Theme Day - Mystery Object


I was introduced to these wonderful architectural 'devices' by Mary Ann from 'Beirut Pursuit'. MA has a pronounced art-history sensibility and an inquisitive eye. I appreciate her blog very much.

This is a corbel. According to Wiki a corbel is a piece of stone jutting out from a wall to take a weight, or in some cases, to give the appearance of taking a weight. You see them below windows and balconies in particular.

Nip over to Beirut and admire the examples that Mary Ann is unearthing.

Today is Theme Day for the CDPB Community. Click here to view thumbnails from participating blogs around the world!
My corbel is part of the entrance to St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst.

26 comments:

Dina said...

Mary Ann has me corbel hunting now as well.

Your pigeon pickers are also an interesting device in the photo.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Julie, I will be searching out corbels now, but my supply is limited where I live. Fortunately, I will be in a place in November with a plethera of corbels and other architectural features...

Enjoy your weekend, mon amie!

Bises,
Genie

Lachezar said...

Beautiful Architecture!
Didn't know that these guys are called Corbels!

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous corbels, Julie. A dearth of them around here, too, except perhaps in the older parts of the nearby city. I love architectural embellishments.
Have been a way for a couple of days, had to catch up on Kirsten's blog before yours (nothing personal). I still admire her spirit and spunk. That's a great girl you've got there.
Luv, K

Stefan Jansson said...

Live and learn.

Speedway said...

Isn't there a champagne brand called Corbel? Wouldn't be supporting your own weight if you drank too much.

Oops, I think it's "Korbel." :-)

Anonymous said...

To cure, carrying much weight indeed. May time continue to treat this place kind.

Please have a good new month and a nice weekend as well.

daily athens

Gemma Wiseman said...

I did not know the word corbel, but I have seen the feature! An intriguing post nand especially love the grandeur of the building's facade in the last photo!

My mystery photo has 3 birds. There is a rosella at the top and a magpie having a not so friendly tete-a-tete with a kookaburra about territorial rights. The tree, of course, is a eucalypt! You were nearly completely correct!

Jim said...

Good to know what these architectural features are called.

Ann said...

New word for me as well although I have seen them before. Haven't seen that St Vinnies Building, or perhaps not in daylight.

Jilly said...

What a lovely idea to show a corbel for Theme Day. And those wire prongs which are presumably to keep the dreaded pigeons away?

Joan Elizabeth said...

Ummm ,. what's the mystery?

magiceye said...

amazing!

love the last pic the best!!

brattcat said...

interesting choice for the theme. carrying weight can be considered on so many levels.

Halcyon said...

I found this theme really difficult, but I think you've done a great job. I had no idea what a corbel is, so I've learned something today. And it's quite a lovely detail on this building.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I'm sure I've seen corbels all over Perth without even realizing it Julie, will be on the lookout now!

VP said...

I could spend hours taking pictures of this building...

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

i like these corbels and the explanation. great choice for theme day

Chrissy Brand said...

Interesting, informative and great examples. (and thanks for the vote Julie!)

Chrissy

Sharon said...

It's amazing how one can see something every day and not really know what it is or that it has a specific name. Very nicely done. I like these corbels.

MurciaDailyPhoto said...

You found a great detail for the Mystery theme day

Jack said...

These blogs are extending my education. Caryatids a few weeks ago on one blog, and now corbels on yours. I might know a few things if I keep blogging.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

You can see Palladio in the design of this building.

Mary Ann said...

Hi Julie, I've arrived late as always. Thanks for the shout out. Your photos turned out well, as always!

Karl said...

Beautiful detail and Architecture!

Kate said...

Corbels, what delightful examples of them on your site today!