The Probert Encyclopaedia of Architecture

FLAMBOYANT

Flamboyant is a term designating a style of Gothic architecture in use in France about the same period with the Perpendicular style in England, that is, from the 14th to the 16th century, having prevailed during the whole of the 15th century. It was distinguished by the waving and somewhat flame-like tracery of the windows, panels, etc. (hence the name), and is usually regarded as a decadent variety of the decorated Gothic. The mouldings in this style are often ill combined, some of the members being disproportionately large or small. The pillars are often cylindrical, either plain or with a few of the more prominent mouldings of the arches continued down them, with out any capital or impost intervening. This is so common that it may be regarded as a characteristic of the style. Mouldings also sometimes meet and interpenetrate each other. The arches are usually two-centred, sometimes semi-circular, and in later examples, elliptical. The foliage enrichments are usually well carved, but the effect is often lost from the
minuteness and intricacy of the parts.
Research Flamboyant