oriel window

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An oriel window is a form of bay window which protrudes from the main wall of a building but does not reach to the ground.{{Cite web |url=http://architecture.about.com/library/blgloss-oriel.htm |title=What is an oriel window – Architecture Glossary |access-date=2008-05-17 |archive-date=2005-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050918184121/http://architecture.about.com/library/blgloss-oriel.htm |url-status=dead }} Supported by corbels, brackets, or similar cantilevers, an oriel window generally projects from an upper floor, but is also sometimes used on the ground floor.

Etymology

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term oriel is derived from Anglo-Norman {{lang|xno|oriell}} and Late Latin {{lang|la|oriolum}}, both meaning "gallery" or "porch", perhaps from Classical Latin {{lang|la|aulaeum}} ("curtain").

History

Oriel windows became popular in the 15th century. They allowed more sunlight into a room compared to conventional flat windows, and were therefore popular in northern countries such as England.{{cite web |title=Oriel {{!}} Gothic Revival, Windows & Glazing {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/oriel |website=Britannica |access-date=1 May 2025 |language=en}} They also could increase the usable space in a house without changing the footprint of the building.{{cite web |last1=Craven |first1=Jackie |title=What Are Those Beautiful Victorian Bay Windows? |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an-oriel-window-177517 |website=ThoughtCo |access-date=1 May 2025 |language=en}}

Oriel windows are seen in Arab architecture in the form of mashrabiya and in Turkish are known as şahnişin or cumba. In Islamic culture, these windows and balconies project from the street-front of a house, providing an area in which women could peer out and see the activities below whilst remaining out of line-of-sight.

KENZARI, B. and ELSHESHTAWY, Y. (2003), The Ambiguous Veil: On Transparency, the Mashrabiy'ya, and Architecture. Journal of Architectural Education, 56: 17–25. doi: 10.1162/104648803321672924

Notable examples

Oriel College, Oxford, took its name from a balcony or oriel window forming a feature of a building which occupied the site the college now stands on.University Challenge, BBC TV. Broadcast 8 August 2016
Oriel Chambers in Liverpool was a very controversial building when it was built, featuring an entire façade of glass oriel windows.{{cite web|url= http://www.orielchambers.co.uk/about|title= History|publisher= Oriel Chambers|access-date=23 November 2021}}

Gallery

File:2014 Kłodzko, pl. Chrobrego 13 03.JPG|Oriel windows with elaborate detailing, Kłodzko, Poland

File:Barnard Castle's round tower, 2007.jpg|A 15th-century oriel window at Barnard Castle in County Durham, England.

File:Myrtle Street Flats (San Francisco).JPG|Oriel windows in San Francisco, California, USA

File:Prior Bolton Oriel Window.jpg|16th-century oriel window in the City of London, Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great

File:Bradford City Hall by J Illingworth.jpg|19th-century neo-gothic oriel window on Bradford City Hall

File:Bruges - Bay window.JPG|Masonry oriel window above a canal supported by corbelling, Bruges, Belgium

File:Perssonska gården (Gäddan 1) 2012-09-27 14-12-05.jpg|Ground-floor oriel window, Perssonska gården, Hedemora, Sweden

File:Oriel chambers.jpg|Oriel Chambers, Liverpool, by Peter Ellis, 1864

File:Maison bleue.jpg| Massive half timbered oriel window on a pre-1581 house, Bouxwiller, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France

File:Świdwin wlz.JPG|Large masonry oriel window of District Office in Świdwin, Poland

File:Gave Aspe Oloron-Sainte-Marie.jpg|Oriel windows with brackets in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France

File:Exeter College Bay Window in Turl Street.jpg|An oriel window in Turl Street belonging to Exeter College, Oxford

References

External links

{{Commons category inline|Oriel windows}}
{{Cite EB1911|noicon=1|wstitle=Oriel}}

Category:Windows