What is a stellar vault?
A stellar vault, or star vault, is a rib vault in which the ribs meet to form a star in each bay. The ribs usually form triangles, with the vault webs filling the spaces between them. It is a development of the quadripartite rib vault: extra ribs are added to the diagonal ones, so every bay gets its own star.
The extra ribs have their own names. Tiercerons run from the springing point up to the ridge, but not to the central boss. Liernes are short connecting ribs that do not rise from a springing point but link other ribs together; they are usually what creates the star shape. In England, tiercerons and liernes developed during the 13th and early 14th centuries, with examples at cathedrals such as Lincoln, Exeter, Ely and Wells. The stellar vault then became a characteristic Late Gothic form across much of Europe.
Recognising it
Look at each bay between two transverse arches. If every bay has its own self-contained star around the centre, it is a stellar vault. If the ribs run on continuously across several bays to form one mesh, it is a net vault.
Application
- Do not drill or fix into the ribs. Install lights or services only on advice from a conservation specialist; ribs and bosses are vulnerable and usually protected.
- Take cracks at bosses and springings seriously. They can point to movement in walls or buttresses. Have a structural engineer assess them.
- Investigate old finishes. Ribs and webs may carry historic paint layers. Get a paint analysis before cleaning or redecorating.
- Check the roof above. Leaks from the roof are a common cause of damage to vault webs.
Common mistake: calling any vault with many ribs a stellar vault. The difference from a net vault is repetition: one star per bay rather than one continuous net.
Related terms
- Net vault
- Rib vault
- Vault rib
- Vault keystone
- Vault bay
- Gothic architecture
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