The Dutch & Flemish Gables of Kent, Part 2
From the start of my study, note was taken of aspect, brickwork and other features, such as dormer windows (which are common), to try to identify common themes. Mostly there are none. Dormer windows were often later insertions to compensate for small gable windows blocked up as a result of the Window Tax of 1696.
In Holland, the most common curvilinear gable is known as ‘halsgevel’, literally ‘neck façade or gable’, i.e. stretched or elongated often with scrolls at the base and a variable pediment. The whole was more flamboyant than anything in England – that is until the revival in Queen Victoria’s reign. The Dutch also have a bell gable, but the only example I know of is a pub by the Tower of London - again Victorian. English gables could be described as a blend of the two types but are different partly due to the materials used, bricks in England, whereas the façades in Holland can be wood or plaster giving more freedom of form. The side curves in England consist primarily of concave, convex or the two combined as an ogee curve, the curves often separated by a small step. The variety of combinations with just these three shapes is astounding – the house that started this study has two ogee curves, one of only two I know of in Kent and East Anglia. The most common combination is probably a concave curve over an ogee or a single convex curve. But again, the possible combinations are numerous, one having three convex curves in a row (Beccles, Suffolk).
A Dutch gable only has a true pediment according to some authoritative architectural dictionaries, but I would refute this as on the approximately 180 Dutch gables in Kent* only thirteen have a true pediment, (in Norfolk and Suffolk it is six out of the 56 viewed). Three have an open pediment over a broken pediment (Littlebourne area). The remainder are mostly round or segmental with the exception of the unique ‘Thanet Top’ found in Thanet and the adjoining mainland only (24 in total) which could be described as an open pediment reversed. Seventeen have the chimney atop the apex; others have a small flat top. South west of Ashford there are fourteen t-shaped gables – a clover leaf, plus ten just with porches. I distinguish and class these as a separate group in the study as these were built by the long standing Toke and Derring families, similar to the Derring round headed windows.
Not surprising that the Derring family were also involved in the setting up of the iron foundries in the area. Their T-shaped gables usually have much larger attics and look more Flemish. Most of the remaining gables tend to have straight sides with a steep angle, similar to most Dutch gables.
Returning to the use of pediments, as far as I can discover only Littlebourne and the Thanet gables have an open pediment. Broken pediments are also rare and seem to be confined to Thanet, Littlebourne, and another near Canterbury. One wonders if there were local masons or brick makers travelling around the area as some houses also have curved pediments over the main entrance. An example is the White Horse in the village of Boughton under Blean. Pediments with a very small flat area on the top are common with about sixteen spread over the whole area. Perhaps the most unusual pediment can be found in the village of Chartham – a double broken scroll form.
In conclusion, the Dutch and Flemish gables in Kent are a fascinating study revealing a rich architectural heritage influenced by trade and migration. The variety and adaptations of these gables highlight the unique blend of local and foreign design elements that have shaped the architectural landscape of Kent.