Fig. 252. Tazza of Diruta, with head of “Rome.”
Fig. 252. Tazza of Diruta, with head of “Rome.”
Fig. 252. Tazza of Diruta, with head of “Rome.”
Diruta.An important porcelain manufactory in the Papal States, established by a pupil of Luca della Robbia in 1461.
Discerniculum, R. (discerno, to divide). A bodkin used by Roman women in the toilet to part their hair. (SeeCombs.)
Discharging Arch.An arch built into the structure of a wall, to relieve the parts below it of the pressure of those above it; such arches are common over flat-headed doors or other openings.
Discinctus, Gr. and R. (discingo, to ungird). A man who isungirt, that is, who does not wear a girdle round the waist of his tunic; for a man, this was a mark of effeminate manners.Discinctus milesdenoted a soldier who had been stripped by his commander of his sword-belt, as a mark of disgrace. (CompareCingulum.)
Disclosed, Her. With expanded wings, in the case of birds that are not birds of prey. The contrary toClose.
Fig. 253. Discobolus of Myron copied on a gem.
Fig. 253. Discobolus of Myron copied on a gem.
Fig. 253. Discobolus of Myron copied on a gem.
Discobolus, Gr. and R. (δισκο-βόλος, i. e. discus-throwing). A man throwing theDiscus(q.v.). [A celebrated statue of the sculptor Myron so called.]
Discus, R. (δίσκος; δικεῖν, to throw). This term denoted (1) the discus hurled by theDiscobolus(q.v.); that is, a circular plate of metal or stone, about ten or twelve inches in diameter. (2) A sun-dial. (3) A shallow circular vessel for holding eatables.
Disk.(SeeWinged Disk.)
Disomum, Chr. (δί-σωμον, double-bodied). An urn or tomb which held the ashes or bodies of two persons;bisomumwas also used. Both terms are met with in Christian inscriptions.
Fig. 254. Falcon Displayed.
Fig. 254. Falcon Displayed.
Fig. 254. Falcon Displayed.
Displayed, Her. Birds of prey with expanded wings. Fig.254represents the crest of Edward IV., the falcon and fetterlock.
Displuviatus,Displuviatum, R. An atrium, the roof of which was sloped outwards from theCompluvium(q.v.), instead of being sloped towards it. (SeeImpluviumandAtrium.)
Disposed,Disposition, Her. Arranged, arrangement.
Distaff.A common object in ancient art. It is an attribute of the Fates, and generally distaffs of gold were given to the goddesses. It was dedicated to Minerva. (SeeColus.) The name of St. Distaff’s Day was given to the day after Twelfth Day in England.
Distance.In a picture,the point of distanceis that where the visual rays meet;middle distanceis the central portion of a picture, between theforegroundand theextreme distance.
Distemper.A kind of painting in which the pigments are mixed with an aqueous vehicle, such assize. Distemper is painted on a dry surface. (SeeFresco-painting.)
Ditriglyph, R. (δὶς, twice, andτρίγλυφος). The space between two triglyphs in the Doric order. The term is therefore a synonym ofMetope(q.v.).
Dividers.Ordinary compasses for taking off and transferring measurements.
Dividiculum, R. A reservoir in the form of a tower, in which the water of an aqueduct was collected, and whence it was afterwards distributed. (SeeCastellum.)
Docana(δοκὸς, a beam). An ancient Spartan symbol of Castor and Pollux. It consisted of two upright beams, with cross pieces.
Doccia.An important Italian manufactory of soft porcelain founded in 1735. Jacquemart says, “Doccia now inundates Europe with spurious majolica of the 16th century, and with false porcelain of Capo di Monte, of which she possesses the moulds.”
Dodecahedron, Gr. A solid figure of twelve equal sides.
Dodecastyle, Gr. and R. (δώδεκα, twelve, andστῦλος, pillar). A building, the arrangement of which admits of twelve columns in front. A dodecastyle pediment is a pediment supported by twelve columns.
Dodra, R. (dodrans, nine parts). A kind of beverage, or rather soup, composed of nine ingredients. We learn from Ausonius that it was made of bread, water, wine, oil, broth, salt, sweet herbs, honey, and pepper.
Dodrans, R. (i. e. three-fourths). Nineunciæ, or three-quarters of anas. There was no coin of this value. As a measure oflength, nine inches. (SeeAs.)
DofforDeff, Egyp. The square tambourine of the ancient Egyptians; thetophof the Hebrews, still in use among the Arabs, especially in the Barbary States.
Dog.An emblem of fidelity and loyalty. In mediæval art, the attribute of St. Roch; also of St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order; of St. Bernard, St. Wendelin, and St. Benignus. As an emblem of fidelity, it is placed at the feet of the effigies of married women upon sepulchres. It was common to represent, in painting or mosaic, a chained watch-dog at the doors of Roman houses. TheDog of Fois a sacred emblem in China, sometimes called aChimera; it is placed as the guardian of the thresholds of temples, and of the Buddhist altars. In the Chinese zodiacal system the dog is the sign for the month of September.
Dog Latin.Barbarous Latin; e. g. “Verte canem ex” (turn the dog out).
Dog’s-nose, O. E. A cordial used in low life, composed of warm porter, moist sugar, gin, and nutmeg. (Halliwell.)
Dog’s-tooth Moulding, Arch. A characteristic ornament of Early English architecture, formed of four leaves with small spiral fillets, which bear some resemblance to teeth. (SeeTooth-ornament.)
Fig. 255. Bronze Dolabra or hatchet (Celtic).
Fig. 255. Bronze Dolabra or hatchet (Celtic).
Fig. 255. Bronze Dolabra or hatchet (Celtic).
Fig. 256. Hatchet, flint-stone.
Fig. 256. Hatchet, flint-stone.
Fig. 256. Hatchet, flint-stone.