Boss

Beautifully carved in a delicate, open lace pattern, this boss was a decorative ornament that stabilized the ribs of a vaulted ceiling at the point where they intersected. Fine leaf forms, arranged in groups of three at the ends of radiating spokes, extend beyond the edge of the circular boss, adding to its elegance. Caen stone, named for the French city where it is quarried, is a soft material whose cut surfaces harden with exposure to air. It is easily worked, allowing the carver to create more detailed and intricate forms.