Dutch gable
A curved gable with pediment, spread from the Low Countries.
A Dutch gable, also known as a Flemish gable, is a gable whose sides consist of one or more curves and which features a pediment at the top. It may be a purely decorative projection above a flat roofline or the termination of a roof, like a normal gable. The term is sometimes used loosely, though it should be distinguished from the stepped gable. In America and Australasia, 'Dutch gable' also refers to a gablet roof.
- field
- Architecture
- known_for
- Gable with curved sides and a pediment; notable feature of Renaissance and Baroque architecture
- origin
- Low Countries (former Southern Netherlands, Flanders)
- spread
- Northern Europe, Britain (late 16th century), Baltic, South Africa, Barbados
- related_style
- Cape Dutch architecture (South Africa)
Lore & Background
The Dutch gable was a notable feature of Renaissance architecture, spreading to northern Europe from the Low Countries and arriving in Britain during the latter part of the 16th century. Later Dutch gables with flowing curves became absorbed into Baroque architecture. The formation of Dutch gables requires careful detailing to weatherproof the junction of the roof with the inner face of the gable wall using a flashing.
Reader's Guide
Scroll gables first appeared in the prosperous towns of the former Southern Netherlands (Flanders) and quickly spread throughout the former Netherlands, German-speaking parts of the Holy Empire, and Northern Europe to the Baltic countries, particularly via the Hanseatic League. The success of Antwerp Mannerist architects drove the rapid diffusion of these gables from England to the Baltic in the second half of the 16th century. The volutes are a motif derived from the Italian Renaissance, grafted onto older Northern European architectural traditions. This gable evolved from the stepped gable common in medieval and Renaissance architecture. At the end of the Middle Ages, Gothic foliage motifs and curved traceries often decorated stepped gables, though few survive. Italian volutes initially replaced these decorations in the first half of the 16th century, then during Mannerist and Baroque periods, large scrolls took up all the space, making tiers disappear. Obelisks, balls, or statues replaced old Gothic ears.
Did You Know?
- The Dutch gable is also called a Flemish gable.
- In America and Australasia, 'Dutch gable' refers to a gablet roof.
- The style spread to Barbados and South Africa, where it became known as Cape Dutch architecture.
- The volutes on Dutch gables are a motif derived from the Italian Renaissance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dutch gable?
A Dutch gable, also called a Flemish gable, is a roofline feature whose flanking sides follow one or more smooth curves and which is crowned by a small triangular pediment. It can sit as a purely ornamental projection above a flat roof or serve as the actual termination of a pitched roof.
Where did the Dutch gable originate?
The form first developed in the Low Countries, particularly the former Southern Netherlands and Flanders. It went on to become a hallmark of Renaissance and Baroque building across northern Europe.
How is a Dutch gable different from a stepped gable?
A Dutch gable is defined by its curving sides and a pediment at the apex, while a stepped gable has a stair-like silhouette made of alternating horizontal and vertical blocks. The two are sometimes lumped together in casual speech, but they are distinct architectural profiles.
Where did the Dutch gable spread beyond the Low Countries?
From the late sixteenth century onward it reached Britain, the Baltic coast, South Africa, and the Caribbean island of Barbados. In South Africa it became a defining motif of Cape Dutch architecture.
What does 'Dutch gable' mean in American and Australasian usage?
In those regions the term is used loosely to describe a gablet roof, which is a different structural form from the curved, pedimented gable found in European architecture. This broader usage can cause confusion when comparing terminology across regions.
More in Dutch inventions 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record