Chapter 22

Fig. 214. St. George’s Crossfimbriated.Fig. 215. Victoria Cross.

Fig. 214. St. George’s Crossfimbriated.

Fig. 215. Victoria Cross.

Cross, Chr. (Crux). The symbol of the Christian religion. The ordinary or primitive type of cross has no summit. It is calledcommissaorpatibulata, and sometimes theTaucross, from its resemblance to the Greek letter so named (T). Fig.121represents a stone cross of the Romano-Byzantine period, at Carew, in England. The St. Andrew’s cross has the form of an X. The Greek cross is of four equal parts. The Latin cross has the foot longer than the summit or arms. The Maltese cross and the cross of Jerusalem are varieties of the Greek cross. The Patriarchal cross (heraldic) has two cross pieces, the triple cross has three, &c.Per Cross, in heraldry, is the division of a shieldquarterly(a combination of pale and fesse). (Figs. 212 to 215.)

Cross and Pile, O. E. The game of “heads and tails.”

Cross-aisled, Arch. HavingTRANSEPTS.

Cross-bowswere brought to England by the Crusaders. They were frequently richly carved and inlaid.

Cross-days, O. E. The three days before Ascension Day.

Cross-gartered.Having the garters crossed on the leg. (H.)

Cross-hatching.A term in engraving applied to lines which intersect at regular angles, to increase depth of shadow.

Crossos, Gr. (κρωσσός). A wide-bodied vessel narrowing towards the mouth; it is furnished with a stand and two handles or ears (δίωτοι).

Cross-row, O. E. The alphabet. (SeeChrist-cross.)

Cross-springer, Arch. In vaulting, the diagonal rib of aGROIN.

Cross-vaulting, Arch. That which is formed by the intersection of two or more simple vaults. When the vaults spring at the same level, and rise to the same height, the cross vault is termed aGROIN. The illustration (Fig.173), the cloisters of the church of Mont St. Michel in France, shows the cross-vaulting.

Fig. 216. Crotalia. Greek necklace.

Crotalium, Gr. and R. (fromκροτέω, to rattle). A small rattle. The Greek and Roman ladies gave this name to their pendants formed of two or four pear-shaped pearls (elenchi), which rattled softly as the wearer moved about. (Fig.216.)

CrotalumGr. and R. (κρόταλον). Castanets made of slit cane, used by dancers in the worship of Cybele. The Middle Ages also had theircrotala, which consisted of a metal rod, in which were inserted rings, which sounded when the instrument was shaken.

CroworRaven. The attribute of St. Vincent.

CrowdeorCroud, O. E. (1) The crypt of a church. (2) A fiddle.

Crown.(SeeCorona. See alsoMural Crown,Naval Crown,Crest, &c.)

Fig. 217. Crown of Her Majesty the Queen.

Crown(of a bell). The top of the inside of a bell, in which the ring is fixed from which the clapper is suspended. In architecture the spire of a steeple is said tocrownthe tower, or a fleuron to crown a gable, &c.

Fig. 218. Crown of the Rose.

Crown.An old English coin, the value of which has varied at different periods. The illustration represents the gold crown of Henry VIII., dated 1462, called a crown of the Rose, value 4s.6d.Other crown pieces were called, from the mint-mark, crowns of the Sun.

Croyle, O. E. Crewel; tightly-twisted worsted.

Crozier, Chr. The name is oftenimproperlyapplied to the bishop’s crooked pastoral staff; it belongs to the staff surmounted by a cross which is borne before an archbishop. The Byzantine crozier was that of the T-shaped cross; it had sometimes curved serpents on both sides.

Crucifix.The representation of the Saviour on the Cross was first introduced in the time of Constantine. It has undergone considerable variation at different periods.

Fig. 219. Porcelain Cruciform Box (Egyptian).

Cruciform.Shaped to form a cross. The illustration represents a specimen of ancient Egyptian porcelain, of this shape, ornamented with the lotus. (SeeEgyptian Pottery.)

Crumata.(SeeCrusmata.)

Crumena, R. A leather pouch for carrying money. Thebalantionof the Greeks was worn suspended from the neck by a strap.

Crumenal, O. E. A purse.

Crupezia, Gr. (κρούω, to strike). A kind of sandal with a double sole, in the middle of which were castanets with springs. (SeeCrotalum.) Greek flute-players used them in the theatre to beat time to the singing and declamation of the chorus.

Fig. 220. Device of the Della Cruscan Academy.

Crusca, Accademia della.A literary academy established in Florence in the 15th century by Cosmo de’ Medici; their device, a bolting-mill, represented in Fig.220, was symbolical of their object to cultivate the Italian language by winnowing the flour from the bran; and in allusion to it, the members called themselves by appropriate names, as Infarinato, Rimenato, Gramolato, Insaccato, &c. On the top of the shield is the Marzocco, or Lion of Florence, the emblem of the city.

Crusilée,Crusily, Her. Having the field semée of small crosses.

Cruske, O. E. An earthen vessel; cf. the Irishcruishkeen.

Crusmata,Crumata, Gr. and R. (κρούω, to strike). Castanets.

Crustæ, R. In the finest works of the chaser, the ornamental pattern was frequently distinct from the vessel, to which it was either fastened permanently, or so that it could be removed at pleasure, the vessel being of silver, and the ornaments of gold, which were calledcrustæoremblemata(Dr. Smith). Of these the former were the figures embossed in low relief, and theemblematawere those in high relief. (SeeDamascening,Emblemata.)

Crustulum, R. (dimin. ofcrustum). Anything baked; plaster mouldings; a cheap kind of decoration in bas-relief.

Crutch.An attribute of St. Anthony, to denote his age and feebleness.

Crux.The Latin equivalent forCross(q.v.).

Crwth(A.S.crudh, Eng.crowd). A Welsh instrument, a sort of violin, similar to therébekof the Bretons.

Fig. 221. Crypt at Lanmeur (France).

Crypta,Crypt, Chr. (κρύπτω, to bury). In ancient times the crypt was really a cloister; it formed, in fact, a long and narrow gallery surrounded by buildings, and itself surrounding a building, garden, or court. The courtyards ofvillæwere surrounded by crypts; the ruins of Diomed’svilla, at Pompeii, afford a curious instance of the kind. In modern archæology the term crypt is applied to a subterranean chapel underneath a church. (Figs. 221 and 222.) Among the Romans the word meant (1) a covered portico, or arcade, calledcrypto-porticus. (2) A grotto, or more accurately a tunnel. (3) A subterranean vault used for secret worship. (4) In the catacombs, a tomb in which a number of bodies were interred together.

Fig. 222. Crypt of St. Mary’s Church, Warwick.

Crypteia(κρυπτεία). A systematic massacre of Helots at night, by young Spartans, who hid themselves during the day.

Crystal.Rock crystals are frequently found large enough to make vessels of. The Romans had crystal drinking-cups of extraordinary size and beauty. Crystal ornaments were especially chosen for ecclesiastical purposes, and for mediæval bookbinding, &c., and are frequently found in early British graves.

Crystalotype.A sun-picture taken and fixed on glass by the collodion process.

Cubiculum, R. and Chr. (cubo, to recline). (1) A bedroom. (2) The emperor’s pavilion or tent at the amphitheatre or circus. (3) In Christian archæology, the sepulchral chambers of the catacombs. (SeeCinerarium.)

Cubile, R. (cubo). A bed, or chamber containing a bed.

Cubit(Gr.πῆχυς, Lat.cubitus, an elbow). A measure of length among the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In Egypt there were two cubits; thenatural cubit, or small cubit, was equal to 18 inches (6 palms or 24 fingers); theroyal cubitto 21 inches (7 palms or 28 fingers). Each of the subdivisions of the cubit was consecrated to a divinity. The Greek cubit was equal to about 18¼ inches; the Roman cubit to very nearly 17½ inches.

Cubital, R. A bolster or cushion used by the Romans to rest the elbow on when reclining.

Cubit-arm, Her. A human arm couped at the elbow.

Cubitoria,-æ(sc.vestimenta,vestes). (SeeCœnatoria.)

Cucullus, R. Literally, a piece of paper rolled into the shape of a funnel, used at Rome by apothecaries and other tradespeople for wrapping up certain kinds of goods; and hence, by analogy, the hood affixed to certain garments, such as thelacerna,pænula,sagum, &c. (SeeCowl.)

Cucuma, R. A term applied to various earthenware or metal vessels, when they were used to heat water or any other liquid.

Cucurbita, R. A pumpkin or gourd, and thence a cupping-glass.

Cudo,Cudon, R. A skull-cap made of soft leather or furs.

Cuerpo(Span.). Body clothing, i. e. a jacket.

Cufic(characters), Arab. The Cufic is the most ancient form of Arabian writing, and bears a great resemblance to the Syriac writing calledestranghelo; it appears to have originated in the city of Cufa or Coufa, whence the name.

Cuirass.(SeeCingulum,Lorica,Pectorale,Thorax.)

Cuir-boulli, Fr. Boiled leather, frequently mentioned by mediæval writers. It has lately been revived under the name ofimpressed leather, and brought to a high state of perfection. (Fairholt.) Hence:—

Cuirbouly, O. E. Tanned leather.

Fig. 223. Cuisse.

Cuisses, Fr. Armour for the thighs, introduced about the middle of the 14th century. In early examples they consisted of one, two, or three pieces of plate overlapping; later on they were formed of one piece only, and finally were finished with a back piece, enclosing the whole of the thigh in armour.

Cuitikins,Cutikins, Scotch. Guêtres, gaiters.

Cuker, O. E. Part of a woman’s horned head-dress, “furred with a cat’s skin.”

Culcita, R. A mattress of horsehair, wool, wadding, or feathers.

Culettes, Fr. Plates of armour protecting the back, from the waist to the saddle.

CuleusorCulleus, R. The largest liquid measure of capacity used by the Romans, containing 20 amphoræ, or about 119 gallons. The same name was also applied to a very large sack, of skin or leather, used for oil or wine. It was in theculeithat parricides were sewed up.

Culigna, R. A vessel for holding wine. It was a kind of amphora of a broader form, its width exceeding its height.

Culina, R. A kitchen.

Cullis, Arch. Same asCoulisse(q.v.).

Culme, O. E. The summit.

Cultellus, R. (dimin. ofCulter, q.v.). A knife.Cultellus ligneus, a wedge of wood.

CulterorCulta, R. A knife.Culter coquinariswas a kitchen-knife;culter venatorius, a hunting-knife;culter tonsorius, a razor;culter vinitorius, orfalx vinitoria, a vine-dresser’s pruning knife. The term denoted as well (1) the knife with which the officiating priest cut the victim’s throat; (2) a knife for carving, also calledcultellus; (3) thecoulterof a plough fixed in front of the plough-share.

Culullus, R. (culeus, q.v.). Generally, any drinking-vessel, and more particularly any earthenware vessel used by priests and vestals at sacrifices.

Culver, A.S. A dove.

Culver-house.A pigeon-house.

Cumera, R. A kind of large box or basket employed by country people for keeping their seed-wheat in.

Cumerum, R. A bridal basket containing the presents of the bride and bridegroom; it was carried by acamillusin the bridal procession.

Cumpi-coptra, Peruv. One of the divisions in the royal arsenals of the ancient Peruvians. It contained llama-wool, and textures of alpaca, embroidered in the college of the Virgins of the Sun (Pasua-Huasi), (q.v.).

Cunabula, R. Literally, a child’s cradle, and thence a bird’s nest, a beehive, a native city; any place, in short, in which a living thing is born. A synonym for this term isCunæ. Bibliologists call early specimens of printing by this name, orIncunabula(q.v.).

Fig. 224. Cuneiform characters.

Cuneiform(characters). Oriental characters formed by a single symbol, which is in the shape of a wedge (cuneus). This kind of writing has been in use among many nations; more particularly the ancient Persians, Persepolitans, Babylonians, and Ninevites. Fig.224represents the first cuneiform characters which found their way to Europe.

Cuneus, R. (1) A wedge of wood, iron, or any other metal. (2) In a theatre or amphitheatre, a set of tiers comprised within two staircases (scalæ), so called from its wedge-like form. (3) A body of soldiers drawn up in the form of a wedge to break through the enemy’s line. The common soldiers called the formationcaput porcinum, a pig’s head.

Cuniculus, R. (cuneus). An underground passage to a fortified place.

Cupa, R. A barrel or hogshead.Vinum de cupâwas wine which had not been drawn off in amphoræ; it was wine from the cask, new wine. The cupa was sometimes made of earthenware like the dolium. It was used for many purposes besides that of a wine-vat. (SeeCupella.)

Cupel.A melting-pot for gold.

Cupella, R. and Chr. (dimin. ofCupa, q.v.). In Christian archæology, a tomb. The word occurs on a catacomb marble, inscribed with grotesque Latin: “I, Secunda, erected thiscupellato my two children,” &c. [The cupa was sometimes used by the Romans as a sarcophagus.] (SeeCinerarium.)

Cupola, It. A concave roof, circular or polygonal.

Cups.(SeeCoppa.)

Curb Roof, Arch. A Mansard roof; a roof with a double set of rafters on each side, of peculiar construction.

Curch, Gael. A kerchief.

Curfew.(SeeCouvre-feu, Fig.202.)

Curia,Curiæ, R. (1) A building in which the people met together to offer sacrifices and take part in the festivities on certain days of festival. (2) Thesenatorial curiæwere buildings in which the senate usually assembled. (3) TheSalian curiawas a place situated on the Palatine Hill, which formed the place of assembly for theSalianpriests who guarded theancilesor sacred shields. (4)Curia calabrawas a small temple founded, almost simultaneously with the building of Rome, on the Palatine; it formed the observatory for the petty pontiffs whose duty it was to watch the appearance of the new moon. In Christian archæology theRoman curiadenotes the pontifical tribunals collectively.

Curliewurlies, Scotch. Fantastical circular ornaments.

Currach, Scotch. A coracle or small skiff; a boat of wicker-work covered with hides.

Fig. 225. Currus. The Chariot of the Sun. The device of Philip II. of Spain.

Currus,Chariot(Gr.ἅρμα). A two-wheeled car or carriage in use among nearly all the nations of antiquity. There were racing-chariots, riding-chariots, and triumphal chariots. Some of these were profusely decorated with ivory (currus eburnei). War-chariots armed with scythes or sharp blades were calledfalcati. (SeeCovinus.) The illustration (Fig.225), a device of Philip II. of Spain, represents Apollo driving the chariot of the Sun.

Cursores.“Runners” before their masters’ carriages; messengers generally.

Curtail Dog, O. E. A dog belonging to a person not qualified to hunt game, which, by the forest laws, must have its tail cropped.

Curtail Step, Arch. The first step of a stair, when its outer end is finished in the form of a scroll; when it has a circular end, it is called a round-ended step.

Cushat, Scotch. A wood-pigeon.

Cushion-capital, Arch. (1) A capital resembling a cushion pressed by a weight. (2) A cube rounded off at its lower angles; the capital most prevalent in the Norman style.

Cusp.In Astrology, the “entrance” of a “house.”

Fig. 226. Cuspis.

Fig. 227. Cuspis—Flint lance.

Figs. 228, 229, 230. Cuspides—Roman lances.

Cuspis, R. A point, more particularly the point of a lance, or javelin, since these were not barbed. Fig.226represents a javelin-head which gives a complete idea of the character of the point calledcuspis; Fig.227shows a flint lance; and Figs. 228 to 230 the lance-headedcuspidesaffixed to the top of the Roman ensigns. (SeeSpiculum.)

Cusps.The foliations of architectural tracery, such as are formed by the points of a trefoil.

Custodia.The shrine or receptacle for the host in Spanish churches.

Cutlass,Coutel-hache, orCoutel-axe, O. E. This weapon was introduced at the end of the 15th century.

Cut-work.Also called “opus consutum;”Ital.“di commesso.” Open-work embroidery came into universal use in England in the 16th century. In the reign of Richard II., however, we are told,—

“Cut werke was greate both in court and townes,Bothe in mene’s hoddies, and also in their gownes.”

“Cut werke was greate both in court and townes,

Bothe in mene’s hoddies, and also in their gownes.”

(SeeAppliqué.)

Cyanogen.A gaseous compound of carbon and nitrogen, necessary to the formation ofPrussian blue.

Cyathus, Gr. and R. A vase or ladle with one handle, used for taking wine from the crater (κρατὴρ), in order to fill the cups (pocula,calices) of the guests, at feasts and banquets. The term was also used to denote a small measure containing the twelfth part of thesextarius, or ·0825 of a pint. The cyathus was used in medicine to measure drugs with accuracy. [It is often represented, on vases, in the hands of Bacchus, in place of his proper goblet the Cantharus.]

Cybistic(dance), R. (κυβιστάω, to tumble). A part of the military exercises in which the performer threw himself at intervals on his hands, so as to rebound on his feet.

Cyclas, R. (κυκλὰς, circular). A long and loose piece of drapery, of a very fine texture; it was hemmed with purple or gold embroidery. Thecyclasformed part of a woman’s costume, but it was also worn by men of an effeminate or dissolute character; hence—

Cyclas, O. E. The name of a long sleeveless gown worn by knights over their armour (fromciclatoun, q.v., of which it was made).

Fig. 231. Cyclopean Masonry.

Cyclopean(masonry, monuments), Gr. and R. (κυκλώπειον). Ancient structures, also known asPelasgian, as being the work of Pelasgians who had learned in the school of Phœnician workmen called Cyclopes. These ancient structures are formed of enormous irregularly-shaped stones (Fig.231), placed one above the other without cement or mortar. Remains of them are found in Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy; they consist chiefly of the walls of acropoles.

Fig. 232. Cylix. A Gallic drinking-cup.

Cylix, Gr. and R. A vase also known as acalixorcup. It was a wide flat drinking-cup, very shallow, of a circular form, with two handles, and mounted on a tolerably tall foot. Fig.232shows a silver cylix or Gaulish cup, found in the ruins of Alisia.

Fig. 233. Decorated Cyma.

Cyma,Cymatium(Eng.Ogee, Gr.κυμάτιον). An architectural moulding, named from the Greekκῦμα(wave or billow), the moulding consisting of an undulation. A cyma, the outline of which is convex at the top and concave below, is calledcyma reversa; when it is hollow in the upper part, it is called acyma recta. (Fig.233.)

Cymatile, R. (κῦμα). A Roman female dress, of a changing sea-green colour, like the waves.

Cymba, R. (κύμβος, a hollow). (1) A small boat. (2) A vase of metal or clay in the form of a small boat. (SeeCymbium.)

Cymbals, O. E. A contrivance of a number of metal plates, or bells, suspended on cords.

Cymbalum, R. (fromκύμβος). The cymbals; a musical instrument made of two disks of bronze or brass. (SeeCrotalum,Flagellum.)

Cymbe, Gr. An ointment-pot, similar in shape to theAmpulla(q.v.).

Cymbium, R. (κυμβίον). A boat-shaped drinking-cup with two handles. (SeeCymba.)

Cynocephalus, Egyp. An ape with a dog’s head; a sacred animal, representing Anubis in the Egyptian mythology.

Cynophontis(sc.ἑορτὴ), Gr. (derived from the Greekκύων, dog, andφόνος, slaughter). Festivals held at Argos during the dog-days, when dogs found straying in the city were killed.

Cynopolites, Egyp. (κυνοπολίτης). A nome of Upper Egypt.

Fig. 234. Branch of Cypress and of Myrtle. Device of M. A. Colonna.

Cypress.In Persian art, this tree is the frequently-occurring emblem of the religion of Zoroaster, and of the soul aspiring to Heaven. In Christian and modern symbolism it is the emblem of mourning. The device ofcypressandmyrtleassumed by Marc Antonio Colonna on the occasion of the defence of Ravenna is emblematic of “deathorvictory.” The wood of the cypress-tree was much used for statuary by the ancients. Carved chests of cypress were especially used, in the Middle Ages, for keeping clothes and tapestry; its aromatic properties were considered a specific against moth. (Fig.234.)

Cyprus.Thin stuff of which women’s veils were made.

CyprusorVerona Green. A pigment mentioned by Pliny asAppian Green: it is prepared from green earths found at Cyprus or Verona, which are coloured by oxide of copper. (SeeAppianum.)

CystsorCists, Etrus. (κίστη, a chest). Offerings dedicated by women in the temple of Venus, of cylindrical caskets of enchased bronze. The handles of these caskets represent small figures, and the feet the claws of animals. Those which have been found in Etruscan tombs, chiefly at Præneste, are in many cases decorated witha graffitodesigns.

Cyzicenæ, Gr. (κυζικηναί). Large and richly-decorated apartments, built for the first time at Cyzicus, which had their principal fronts to the north, and were situated in a garden.

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