InGothic architecture, awimperg is agable-like crowning over portals and windows[1] and is also called anornamental gable. Outside of immediate architecture, the wimperg is also found as a motif in Gothiccarving.[2]
The word has been documented inGerman since the 10th century (Old High Germanwintberga,Middle High Germanwintberge). The original meaning was "that which protects against the wind, conceals [birgt in German]". What was originally meant were gable parts that protrude above the roof.[3] In this context,Wintberge is also found in older sources in the meaning "merlon" ([3] mentions Middle High Germanwintburgelin "merlon"), occasionally also "Wimperg" as "tooth-like top extension to theparapet wall of abattlement".[4]
The wimperg is considered an architectural element which, as an ornamental gable, reinforces the Gothic style's drive for height.[4] It can be flanked, framed or even occupied bypinnacles. The gable slopes of the wimperg were often framed or occupied withcrockets. Its gable peak is often executed as a gable flower,[5] for example as a cruciform ornament. In German, the nameFrauenschuh ("women's shoe") has been handed down for wimpergs with a tip that overhangs to the front.[5] The gable field may be left plain, but it is often filled with pre-faced or openwork tracery.[4]
The wimperg has also made it into somecoats of arms as part of aheraldic figure. Predominantly, the architectural object is used to place a coat of arms in the free space under the legs for filling and ornamentation. For heraldry, it is more important that it is represented in the coat of arms. The building part in the coat of arms is mentioned in theblazon and should then also be appropriately acknowledged by the coat of arms' painter. A good example is the coat of arms of the town ofKamenz. Here, according to the description of the coat of arms, there is a golden wimperg decorated with crockets on a golden battlement wall. Often the wimperg is described as a "triangular gable", and it does not always have to be flanked by crockets or have afinial on top. The number of coats of arms with a wimperg remains manageable. In the description of the coat of arms ofFehrbellin before 1993, one could read of thequatrefoil in the wimperg.[6]
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