Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Canopy, originally a mosquito net (Greek conops, a gnat); hence its support overhanging the bed. Ecclesiastically, it means the covering of an altar, throne, or tomb. In architecture it is applied also to ornamental projections over doors and windows. There are richly carved and ornamented canopies in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles.