Ballflower

Ball-flower

is an ornament resembling a ball placed in a globular flower, the three petals of which form a cup round it. This ornament is usually found inserted in a hollow moulding, and is generally characteristic of the Decorated style of the 14th century; but it sometimes occurs, though rarely, in buildings of the 13th century, or Early English style, as in the west front of Salisbury Cathedral, where it is mixed with the tooth ornament. It is, however, rarely found in that style, and is an indica tion that the work is. late. It is the prevailing ornament at Hereford Cathedral, in the south aisle of the nave of Gloucester Cathedral, and the west end of Grantham Church; in all these instances in pure Decorated work. A flower resembling this, except that it has four petals, is occasionally found in very late Norman work, but it is. used with other flowers and ornaments, and not repeated in long suits as in the Decorated style. A similar ornament is of frequent occurrence in the 12th century in the west of France. SEE NICHE; SEE RIB; SEE WINDOW, etc.