balustrade
A balustrade (from the French word balustrade from the synonymous Italian. Balaustrata from the ancient Greek βαλαύστιον / balaustion 'pomegranate blossom', because of the bell-shaped flower shape of the pomegranate tree) is an individually designed low row of columnar supports with continuous cover that can be used as a parapet or railing on stairs , terraces and Balconies is used.
construction
A balustrade consists of column-like and mostly strongly profiled supports standing next to one another, which are called balusters or docke , and also of lower chord , upper chord , handrail and pedestals . A balustrade therefore consists of three structural elements, the cover plate, the balusters and the base. The row of the individual balusters creates a docking railing, the balustrade. The row of columns can be straight or curved. Balustrades are mostly made of wood or natural stone , more recently also from concrete .
use
Today, balustrades are increasingly used again as garden decorations and house decorations for balconies and terraces. On outside stairs, balustrades are popular as handrails.
history
The origins go back to ancient times . In the late Gothic period north of the Alps , balustrades with tracery were preferred in the exterior architecture of the churches . In the Mediterranean region, preferably in Italy and Dalmatia , they can also be found on civil buildings used to delimit verandas .
In the Renaissance , Baroque and Rococo balustrades were often used as a decorative and functional architectural element. Their variety of materials increased in the 19th century, so that cast iron in artistically processed form was also used. In the 20th century, the influence of the Bauhaus and the New Objectivity promoted the use of simple geometric forms of balustrades in stairwells, on verandas and facades.
balustrade
Pattern for balusters
Use in art
In his third creative period, the German artist and sculptor Johannes Reinarz devoted himself to the balustrade in paintings and sculptures. The balustrade often takes on a human, playful character and is depicted and abstracted in a rich abundance of sometimes bizarre forms.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Scientific advice of the Duden editorial team (publisher): Duden, German Universal Dictionary. 6th edition. Dudenverlag, Mannheim / Leipzig / Vienna / Zurich 2007, ISBN 978-3-411-05506-7 , page 243, entry “Baluster”.
- ↑ Günther Mehling (Ed.): Natural stone lexicon . Verlag Georg DW Callwey , 4th edition, Munich 1993. p. 47 ISBN 3-7667-1054-0 .
- ↑ Elia Johannes Reinarz: Biography work on Johannes Reinarz . Ed .: Unpublished work, Waldorf School. Original edition. Gummersbach 2017, p. 61 .