Ball flower

The ball-flower (also written ballflower) is an architectural ornament in the form of a ball inserted in the cup of a flower. It came into use in the latter part of the 13th century in England and became one of the chief ornaments of the 14th century,^[1] in the period known as Decorated Gothic.^[2]

Ball-flower ornamentation at Gloucester Cathedral

Ball-flowers at the top of a capital
in St Mary's Church, Bloxham, in Oxfordshire

Ball-flowers were generally placed in rows at equal distances in the hollow of a moulding, frequently by the sides of mullions.^[1] Examples are found in many churches of the period including Gloucester Cathedral; St Mary's Church, Bloxham; St. Michael's Church, Swaton (c. 1300);^[3] and Tewkesbury Abbey (c. 1330).^[4] The presence of ball-flowers on the west part of Salisbury Cathedral has helped date this facade to the 14th century.^[5]