Keystone Faces

/ By / keystone, people, portraits / 3 minutes of reading

Here are some unique keystone faces. Many keystones are flat and plain, but these feature a humanlike face of symbolic or historical figures. Stonemasons install the keystone as the final wedge-shaped stone at the crown of an arch during construction, locking all the stones into position and allowing the arch to bear weight. Anthropomorphic keystones are beautiful and functional, providing aesthetics and structural integrity.

A keystone face with a large scroll like mustache.
The keystone face (above) has a scrolling mustache, and leafy features. It appears above a doorway on the building located at 8th Avenue and West 21st Street in New York City. “Scroll Face Green Man Gargoyle Above Doorway 4820” by Brechtbug is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Photo dated 12-Nov-2018

Stonemasons sometimes work with architects to decorate or embellish keystones with carvings of people, animals, and other natural objects. This decorative piece at the center draws attention and emphasizes the importance of the keystone in holding the whole arch together. Keystones transfer the weight of the arch diagonally onto the support structures on either side.

A Keystone Face. Detail above an archway at the Ariel Rios Building which houses the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC.
A Keystone Face. Detail above an archway at the Ariel Rios Building which houses the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and also the entrance to the Federal Triangle Metro station, in Washington, DC. This photo by MonstersWeare is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Keystone Motif

Architects and stonemasons symbolically use keystones to represent strength and architectural integrity. They sometimes make decorative keystones using a keystone motif. People also use the term keystone metaphorically to refer to something that holds other parts together.

A keystone face above a rounded arch window, on the old Bristol Stock Exchange building (1903), Bristol, England.
A keystone face above a rounded arch window, on the old Bristol Stock Exchange building (1903), Bristol, England. Photo by Spencer Means, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Another keystone face at the apex of a rounded arch window, at the old Bristol Stock Exchange buildings (1903), Bristol, England.
Another keystone face at the apex of a rounded arch window, at the old Bristol Stock Exchange buildings (1903), Bristol, England. Photo by Spencer Means, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Carved Keystone Faces

Stonemasons carve faces onto keystones for various reasons.

  • Decoration – The most common reason is simply for decorative purposes. Faces and heads are a common symbolic motif.
  • Symbolism – Faces can add symbolic meaning. Some cultures believed carving a face warded off evil spirits.
  • Importance – Adding a face highlights the structural importance of the keystone. It draws attention to the stone that locks the arch in place.
  • Identity – Faces represent people, so carving a face onto the keystone can be a way of identifying its creator or those involved in constructing the building.
  • Humor – Some carvings have comical or exaggerated expressions, using the keystone face for a touch of lightheartedness.
  • Religion – Keystones in churches and temples sometimes depict faces of saints or angels.

In summary, carved keystone faces serve both symbolic and decorative purposes while underlining the significance of the architectural role of the keystone itself. The practice spans many cultures and time periods.

Ugly Keystone Faces

Stonemasons intentionally make some carved keystone faces look ugly or grotesque for several reasons:

  • Humor – Stonemasons use exaggerated or ugly faces for purposes of humor, absurdity, or even satire.The carvings lighten up the seriousness of the architecture.
  • Artistic Freedom – Stone carvers were able to express creativity by carving all kinds of faces. Grotesque or ugly faces were a departure from typical graceful human forms.
  • Intimidation – Fearsome visages of demons, beasts, or warriors could intimidate enemies. It was a sign of power and strength for a fortress or palace.
  • Warning or Punishment – In churches, some carvings illustrated the consequences of sins, vices or evil. Ugly faces represented punishment, meant to warn the congregation.

Related Links and Resources

  1. Fun with Arches (5 minute video)
  2. Architectural Motifs – Other common architectural patterns.
  3. Keystone People – More keystone faces.
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