Lemekh

Lemekh

 

elongated, sometimes slightly bent, small wooden planks, usually in the form of a shovel or a small, flat, stepped pyramid. They were used in Russian wooden architecture as coverings for cupolas, cupola drums, tent-shaped spires (shatry), and other parts of buildings. The play of light and shadow on the lemekh imparts an ornamental, picturesque appearance to the roof.