Acanthus Leaf

In the ancient world, a corbel was a decoratively cut piece of stone that projected from a wall for the purpose of bearing weight, such as a balcony. From the Latin 'corbellus', meaning raven, it was so named due to its beak-like appearance.

In the past, corbels have lined the exteriors of temples of Greek deities, often in combination with columns and capitals, to bring dignity and symbolism to the Gods of the Pantheon. Corbels can also be found in churches around the world, gracing the interior walls of abbeys and cloisters.