Croquets

Croquets are ornaments used in Gothic architecture since the 12th century, when they were introduced on capitals of columns in the shape of incurved bunches of leaves springing from stems in place of the classic volutes employed before that date. Similar projecting croquets were soon applied to cornices, gables, spires, &c. In the Early English style they stand up in a detached manner, with the foliage at the point; but in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles the leaves are more developed and cling to the copes or ramps, to which they are applied as ornaments. Animal forms, specially modified, are sometimes utilised for croquets. See the articles on the various styles.