What is a corbel?

A corbel is a structural bracket made of successive courses of brick or stone that step outward from the face of a wall. Each course projects slightly beyond the one below it, creating a stair-step profile that progressively extends into the building or structure. This stepped projection creates a solid bearing surface for whatever rests on top of it.

Corbels serve practical functions in brick masonry and stone construction. They support cornices (the decorative or functional molded edge at the top of a wall), carry ledges or shelves, shore up the shoulder of a chimney as it rises above the roofline, or prop up arches and other overhanging members. By distributing the load of the supported element across multiple courses set into the wall, a corbel avoids the need for structural steel or other modern support systems.

The stepped design is important because each course is anchored within the wall itself, making the corbel rigid and permanent. Traditional masonry corbels are common in older Connecticut homes and commercial buildings, especially where chimneys need support at the roofline or where Victorian-era cornicing required substantial bearing points. Maintaining or rebuilding corbels is part of the work involved in restoring historic masonry and ensuring structural soundness where these details exist.