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McNeel’s “The Greatest Name In Stonecraft” has a section for horizontal monuments. On page 21 is an illustrated memorial for Edward and Mary Washington.
This attractive memorial has sandblast sunk lettering. Unfortunately, this memorial does not have an epitaph or memorialization that would inform us of the details of the life for this exhibit.
Gable-Top Horizontal Monument
The Washington memorial has a gable top design with the high point in the center, perpendicular to the front and back of the monument. This is a horizontal monument, as it is wider than it is tall. The sides are straight.
Checks
McNeel has used “checks” on the ends of the top of this monument to create an attractive memorial. Checks are created by a cut or recess in the stone, usually on the highest point or ends. Checks are a rabbet-shaped cutting, with rabbets being cuts that fit inside adjoining parts to fit together.
Flutes, Grooves or Skin Carving
Horizontal flutes are used as molding on the face of the memorial where the name is located.
Flutes are parallel grooves used for decoration. This decoration is often called fluting, but may also be called flat carving or skin carving, defined as line carving on the surface of the stone.
Acanthus Plant
Within the center of the decoration is a carving of the acanthus plant. The acanthus is a Mediterranean shrub or perennial with shiny leaves and white or purple flowers. Be certain you want the acanthus plant, because it can be difficult to remove with an expansive root system. McNeel states that the symbolism for the acanthus plant is “Heavenly Gardens.”
Returns are the term used where there is an alteration of direction. The return for the molding occurs at the top of the Acanthus plant where the lines change from horizontal or vertical or vice versa.
Base:
The base appears to have a flat top. I would recommend an upgrade to use a wash. A wash, or drop wash, is a beveled surface on the upper portion of the upper edge of a monument to assure water run off.
McNeel identifies the dimensions of the Washington as follows:
McNeel provided four recommended size options for the Washington.
21. B
Washington
Y-3004
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A
.
3-0 x 0-6 x 1-10
4-0 x 1-2 x 0-6
B.
3-6 x 0-8 x 2-2
4-6 x 1-4 x 0-8
C.
4-0 x 0-8 x 2-4
5-4 x 1-4 x 0-6
D.
4-6 x 0-10 x 2-6
6-0 x 1-6 x 0-8
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Tablet
Base
Tablet
Base
Tablet
Base
Tablet
Base
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Monument Dimensions Explained
The suggested dimensions for the tablet are as follows: Option A above is the smallest size shown, as it is 3 feet long, 6 inches wide, 1 feet 10 inches tall, with a 4 foot base, 14 inches wide, and 6 inches tall.
Options B, C and D are longer in 6-inch increments. Option D offers a 4 foot 6 inch long tablet, and is 10 inches wide and 2 feet 6 inches tall. The smallest design had a 6-inch thickness while 8- and 10-inch thicknesses were options for the larger sizes. I encourage my clients to compare prices for the 8-inch sizes, as the appearance is dramatically improved with the thicker design. As with all designs, you can scale the monument designs up or down as your needs may require.
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