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 McNeel’s “The Greatest Name In Stonecraft” has a section for horizontal monuments. On page 21 of this classic treatise is an illustrated memorial for the Montgomery Family.
The Montgomery Memorial Summarized
Tablet
The Montgomery has a straight top on the tablet, with checks on each end of the top of the tablet. The tablet is a vertical monument, as it is taller than it is wide.
Chamfer
The top edges are chamfered. A chamfer is a slanting or tapered edge created by the removal of the square or right-angle edge on a monument.
McNeel identifies the dimensions of the Montgomery design as follows:
McNeel provided three recommended size options for the Montgomery.
21 A
Montgomery
Y-3003
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A.
4-0 x 0-6 x 1-4
5-4 x 1-2 x 0-6
B.
4-6 x 0-6 x 1-6
6-0 x 1-2 x 0-6
C.
5-0 x 0-8 x 1-8
6-6 x 1-4 x 0-6
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Tablet
Base
Tablet
Base
Tablet
Base
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Base
The base appears to have a flat top. A wash would be preferred to allow for the proper drainage of water away from the top of the base.
Monument Dimensions Explained
McNeel’s suggested dimensions for the tablet are as follows:
Option A above is the smallest size shown, as it is 4 feet long, 6 inches wide, 1 foot 4 inches tall, with the base 5 feet 4 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. Option B offers a 4 foot 6 inches long tablet, 6 inches width by 1 foot 6 inches tall, with the base 6 feet by 1 foot 2 inches by 6 inches tall. Option C is 6 inches longer, 2 inches wider, and 2 inches taller than Option B, with proportional increases in the length of the base.
As with all designs, you can scale the basic design for the monument larger or smaller proportionally as your needs may require. Likewise, you may borrow from several designs to create a new composite that uses the ornamentation that fits your particular interests.
McNeel’s Comments on Symbolism
McNeel describes the symbolism for the wild roses used in the Montgomery design as “Wild Rose: Love, Our Lord, The Nativity.”
Author’s Comments
This attractive memorial has sandblast sunk lettering for the family name. The panel between the wild rose flowers used as ornamentation has been recessed, creating square-raised lettering for “Father” and “Mother,” though they are level with the surface of the memorial. The family and given names are sandblast sunk.
This is a rather simple design that harmonizes well.
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