The Probert Encyclopaedia of Architecture

TRACERY

In architecture, tracery is the ornamental stone-work in the upper part of Gothic windows, formed by the ramifications of the mullions. The term is also applied to the decorations of corresponding character which are abundantly used in Gothic architecture on panellings, ceilings, etc.

The term is not ancient. Tracery seems to have originated in a desire for enlarging the windows which were in use in the thirteenth century, and the first decided approach to it in this country was made in the Early English style, by piercing the spaces between, or above the heads of the windows when two or more were grouped together under one arch. These piercings were unconformable to the windows, and very often, if not generally, had different mouldings from them, but the system of making the mullions branch off into circles, quatrefoils, and other geometrical figures above the springing of the arches, quickly superseded this expedient, and established the use of tracery. Its character, at first, was often rather heavy, and only the larger openings were feathered, but this defect was quickly corrected, and it became one of the most marked and beautiful characteristics of the Decorated style.

The early Decorated tracery is arranged principally in circles, quatrefoils, and other regular figures, with the featherings for the most part confined to the larger piercings. This is usually called geometrical tracery. In the matured examples of the style it is generally more complicated, and the patterns are designed with greater freedom and elegance. Many windows of this date have the heads filled with most elaborate tracery, branching off into a variety of graceful curves, without any admixture of geometrical forms, though very commonly portions of flowing and geometrical tracery are combined in the same window. Two of the windows of Decorated date most celebrated for their tracery are the west window of York Minster, and the east window of Carlisle cathedral. There are also windows, both early and late, in the Decorated style, of which the tracery is remarkably poor and meagre. One variety of this kind has the heads of the lights elevated so as to reach up to the main arch. Another, which is more common, has the lights of uniform height, and the mullions prolonged above them by continuing the curves of the heads until they reach the main arch of the window. In the generality of examples of this character the featherings are poor, and many, especially of the last kind, have none at all.

One of the earliest indications of the approach of the Perpendicular style is perceived in the introduction of straight lines in the tracery, sometimes horizontal, but more frequently vertical. These, on their first appearance, are not numerous, and, in general, not very striking, but they are found rapidly to increase as the style becomes developed, until the flowing lines of the Decorated tracery are exploded. There are very great varieties in the window tracery of the Perpendicular style. Occasionally transoms are introduced in it, particularly in some districts, and an effect very similar to that of a transom, produced by arching the small lights at a uniform level across a, considerable part, or the whole breadth of the window, is common. Although the leading lines are vertical, it is usual to find some of the piercings formed of curved patterns, and the principal mullions are frequently arched and carried through the window head, so as to divide the tracery into several distinct portions.

In addition to its use in windows, tracery is also extensively employed as a decoration in Gothic architecture in various other ways. In general character it always more or less resembles that of the windows, though the patterns are often necessarily modified to suit the spaces to which it is applied. Panels are sometimes entirely covered with it, and are sometimes epitomes of blank windows. Parapets often, especially on the continent, consist of a range of tracery. Ceilings, both vaulted and flat, are very commonly ornamented with it. In screens it is almost invariably introduced. It is also made to decorate a variety of small objects, such as locks, door-handles, etc.
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