Fig. 257. Gallic hatchet.Dolabra, R. (dolo, to hew). An instrument like a pick or hatchet, which varied in form according to the different purposes for which it was employed. Thedolabrawas used for digging, cutting, breaking, and chopping, and was thus a pick, a hatchet, an adze orascia, &c. Dolabra of flint or other hard stone, called Celts, are of remote antiquity. (SeeCelt.) (Figs. 255 to 257.)
Fig. 257. Gallic hatchet.
Fig. 257. Gallic hatchet.
Fig. 257. Gallic hatchet.
Dolabra, R. (dolo, to hew). An instrument like a pick or hatchet, which varied in form according to the different purposes for which it was employed. Thedolabrawas used for digging, cutting, breaking, and chopping, and was thus a pick, a hatchet, an adze orascia, &c. Dolabra of flint or other hard stone, called Celts, are of remote antiquity. (SeeCelt.) (Figs. 255 to 257.)
Doliolum.Dimin. ofDolium(q.v.).
DoliumorCuleus, Gr. and R. A large earthenware vessel with a wide mouth, and of rounded, spherical form. It was used to contain wine and oil when first made, before they were transferred into smaller vessels for keeping.
Fig. 258. Dolmen.
Fig. 258. Dolmen.
Fig. 258. Dolmen.
Dolmen, Celt. A term which, in the Celtic language, means literally a stone table. It consists of a number of stones, of which some are fixed in the ground, and the others laid transversely over them. These structures were used as sepulchres. Figs. 258 and 259 represent two different types of dolmens. (SeeCromlech.)
Fig. 259. Dolmen, in the forest of Rennes.
Fig. 259. Dolmen, in the forest of Rennes.
Fig. 259. Dolmen, in the forest of Rennes.
DolonorDolo, R. (δόλων). (1) A long stick armed with an iron point. (2) A cane, in the hollow of which a poniard was concealed. (3) The fore-topsail of a vessel.
Fig. 260. Heraldic Dolphin.
Fig. 260. Heraldic Dolphin.
Fig. 260. Heraldic Dolphin.
Dolphin, Her. A favourite fish with heralds. It is best known as the armorial ensign of the Dauphin, the eldest son and heir apparent of the kings of France—Or, a Dolphinaz. In Christian archæology the dolphin is the symbol of swiftness, diligence, and love; it is often met with entwined with an anchor. The first Christians often wore these two symbols united in a ring, which was known as anautical anchor. (See alsoDelphin.)
Dome, It. (1) Literally, thehouseof God. When a city possesses several churches, the name is applied to the cathedral only. (2) The interior of acupola.
Dominions, in Christian art. (SeeAngels.)
Fig. 261. Plan of a Greek house.
Fig. 261. Plan of a Greek house.
Fig. 261. Plan of a Greek house.
Domus, Gr. and R. (Gr.δόμος,οἶκος). A house, in contradistinction toinsula, a group of houses. The Greek house is divided into two parts by the central chambers. The external, theAndronitis, contains the men’s, and the inner, orGynæconitis, the women’s apartments. The whole building was generally long and narrow, occupying a comparatively small frontage to the street, and the outside wall was plain without windows. Outside the door was often an altar of Apollo Agyieus, or an obelisk, or sometimes a laurel-tree, or a bust of the god Hermes. A few steps, calledAnabathmoi, led up to the house door (αὐλεία θύρα), over which there was generally a motto inscribed: the passage (θυρωρεῖον,πυλὼν,θυρὼν) (ABin the plan) had the stables on one side, and the porter’s lodge opposite, and led toC, thePeristyleorAulaof the men’s quarters, aHypæthral, or open air court, surrounded by porticoes calledStoai, and by the men’s apartments, which were large banqueting-rooms (οἶκοι,ἀνδρῶνες), smaller sitting-rooms (ἐξέδραι), and sleeping-chambers (δωμάτια, κοιτῶνες, οἰκήματα). The door to the passageDwas calledμέταυλοςorμέσαυλος(i. e. the middle of the aulæ), and gave admission toE, the peristyle or aula of the Gynæconitis. The rooms numbered 10 to 17 were the chambers of the women;PPwere called the Thalamos and Amphithalamos;HHandGwere theἱστῶνες, or rooms for working in wool; and atIwas the garden door (κηπαία θύρα). There was usually an upper story where guests and slaves were lodged (ὑπερῷον,διῆρες), the stairs leading to which were outside the house. The roofs were flat, and it was customary to walk upon them. The floors were of stone, in later times ornamental or coloured. The construction and decoration varied with the ages; painted ceilings were a late introduction.
Fig. 262. Plan of a Roman house.
Fig. 262. Plan of a Roman house.
Fig. 262. Plan of a Roman house.
Of a Roman house, the principal parts were theVestibulum, or court before the door, open to the street; theOstium,Janua, orFores, the entrance; theAtrium,Cavum Ædium, orCavædium, with theCompluviumopen over the central tank (termed theImpluvium); theAlæ(wings),Tablinum,Fauces, andPeristylium: of each of which a notice will be found in its alphabetical place in this work. (See alsoCubicula,Triclinia,Exedræ,Pinacotheca,Bibliotheca,Balneum,Culina,Cœnacula,Diæta,Solaria, &c.) The floors of a Roman house were either of the composition calledRuderatio, and, from the process of beating downpavita, were then calledPavimentum, or of stone or marble or mosaics (Musivum opus). The inner walls were usually covered with frescoes. The ceilings left the beams visible, which supported the roof, and the hollow or unplanked spaces (LacunariaorLaquearia) were often covered with gold and ivory, or with paintings. (SeeCamara.) The principal apartments had no windows, deriving their light from the roof; in the upper stories there were windows either open or latticed, or later filled with mica, and finally glass.
Fig. 263. Atrium with Doric columns. (See alsoFig.49.)
Fig. 263. Atrium with Doric columns. (See alsoFig.49.)
Fig. 263. Atrium with Doric columns. (See alsoFig.49.)
Don Pottery.A name given to the productions of a porcelain manufactory established in 1790 at Swinton on the Don.
Fig. 264. Donjon.
Fig. 264. Donjon.
Fig. 264. Donjon.
Donjon, Mod. The principal tower of a Norman or mediæval castle. It was generally separate from the other parts of the building. The greater number of feudal fortresses originally consisted merely of a donjon erected on an artificial earthwork. This donjon was surrounded by an open space walled, called the Inner Bailey, and another beyond called the Outer Bailey. Beneath were the dungeons. Fig.264represents a donjon called the Tower of Loudun. The White tower is the donjon of the Tower of London.
Doom.In Christian art, the Last Judgment; a subject usually painted over the chancel arch in parochial churches.
Dorelot.A network for the hair, worn by ladies in the 14th century. (SeeCalantica,Crespine, &c.)
Fig. 265. Column and Capital of the Doric Order.
Fig. 265. Column and Capital of the Doric Order.
Fig. 265. Column and Capital of the Doric Order.
Doric Order of Architecture.The earliest and simplest of the three Greek orders. “The Grecian Doric order, at its best period, is one of the most beautiful inventions of architecture—strong and yet elegant, graceful in outline and harmonious in all its forms, imposing when on a great scale, and pleasing equally when reduced in size, by the exquisite simplicity of its parts.” (Newlands.) The columns of this order had no pedestal, nor base; the capital, which was half a diameter in height, had noastragal, but a few plain fillets, with channels between them, under theovolo, and a small channel below the fillets. Theovolois generally flat, and of great projection, with aquirk, or return. On this was laid theAbacus, which was only a plain tile, without fillet or ornament. A peculiarity of this order was theflutingsof the column, twenty in number, shallow, and with sharp edges. The best examples of the Grecian Doric of which we have descriptions and figures are the temples of Minerva (called the Parthenon) and of Theseus at Athens, and that of Minerva at Sunium. TheRoman Doricdiffers in important particulars from the Grecian. (SeeRoman Doric.)
DormantorCouchant, Her. Asleep. (SeeCouchant.)
Dormer(Fr.dormir, to sleep). The top story in the roof of a house.
Dormer Window.A gabled window in the sloping side of a roof, projectingvertically; when it lies in the slope of the roof, it is askylight.
Dorneck,Dornex, orDornyks, O. E. An inferior damask, wrought of silk, wool, linen thread, and gold, at Tournay orDorneck; 15th century.
Dorsale,Dosser,Dossier, Chr. (dorsum, the back). Pieces of tapestry or hangings put up in the arches or bays surrounding the choir of a church in order to screen the clergy and choristers from draughts of air. Also pieces of tapestry hung upon parapets, the panels of pulpits and stalls, and sometimes the backs of side-boards. It was the custom to hang tapestry, cloth of Arras, or needlework round the lower half of all the ancient dining-halls to a height of about five feet above the basement.
Dorsualia, R. (dorsum). An embroidered saddle-cloth, which was laid across the back of a horse on the occasion of a triumphal entry, or on the backs of victims for sacrifice. Examples ofdorsualiaoccur on several monuments, in especial on a bas-relief of the arch of Titus, at Rome.
Doryphorus, Gen. (δορυ-φόρος). Literally, spear-bearer. Fig.130represents a Persian spearman. A celebrated statue of Polycletus (of the Argive school) is called theDoryphorus. “Polycletus advanced his art in several respects, chiefly by fixing a law of proportion, of which his Doryphorus, a youth bearing a spear, was called theCanon(q.v.); and also by his making the weight of the body rest on one foot, in contradistinction to the ancient practice, thereby producing a contrast between the supporting, weight-bearing side of the body, and the supported, freely-resting side.” (Butler’s Imitative Art.) The statue by Polycletus is lost. The proportions handed down to us by Vitruvius are thus described by Bonomi:—
(1) The length of the horizontally extended arms equals the height of the figure.
(2) The head is aneighth, the face atenthof the whole height.
(3) From the top of the scalp to the nipples isone-fourth.
(4) From the nipples to horizontal line across the centre of the square—the pubes—isone-fourth.
(5) From that line to one just below the knee-cap isone-fourth.
(6) From that line to the ground isone-fourth.
(7) The forearm (from the elbow) is afourthof the height; the hand atenth.
DoseorDosall, O. E. (Lat.Dorsale, q.v.).
Dossar.(SeeDorsale.)
Douai.A manufactory of modern faience established in 1784, producing stone-wares and “cailloutages.”
Doublé, Fr. (1) The term is applied to precious stones, when cemented upon glass. (2) The inside lining of a well-bound book.
Fig. 267. Doublet costume,temp.Elizabeth.
Fig. 267. Doublet costume,temp.Elizabeth.
Fig. 267. Doublet costume,temp.Elizabeth.
Doublet, although deriving its name from the French worddoublée(lined), is in that language more generally known as “Pourpoint,” of which, in fact, it is merely a variety. It first appeared in England in the 14th century made without sleeves, which for convenience were afterwards added; and being universally adopted, it superseded the tunic. The engraving shows a doublet with stuffed sleeves of the time of Elizabeth. They were worn of varied forms till the reign of Charles II. (Fig.267.)
Doubling, Her. The lining of a mantle or mantling.
Fig. 268. Two Doves. Device of Giovanna de’ Medici.
Fig. 268. Two Doves. Device of Giovanna de’ Medici.
Fig. 268. Two Doves. Device of Giovanna de’ Medici.
Dove.A Christian symbol of frequent occurrence; it expresses candour, gentleness, innocence, faith, and, in especial, the Holy Spirit. It is also a symbol of martyrdom and grief, and in this signification appears frequently represented on tombs and sarcophagi. With an olive-bough in its mouth it is a symbol of peace, and accordingly the inscriptionPax(Peace) is often found accompanying representations of the dove, more particularly in the catacombs. With the Assyrians and Babylonians the dove was the symbol of Semiramis, who, according to them, took this shape on leaving earth. The dove was the favourite bird of Venus. As a symbol of conjugal fidelity, the device of two turtle-doves was adopted by Giovanna of Austria on her marriage with Francesco de’ Medici. (Fig.268.)
Fig. 269. Dove-tailed Masonry.
Fig. 269. Dove-tailed Masonry.
Fig. 269. Dove-tailed Masonry.
Dove-tailorSwallow-tail, Gen. A method of joining employed for wood, stone, or iron, and so called because the tenon by which the joint is effected is cut in the shape of a dove-tail or swallow-tail. This tail fits into a notch (Fig.269). The ancients employed double dove-tails for joining stones together; this method of construction was calledOpusRevinctum(q.v.).
Dove-tail Moulding, Arch. (Norman; called alsoTriangular Frette). Decorated with running bands in the form of dove-tails.
Doves, the Eucharistic.Sacred vessels of gold, silver, gilded bronze, or ivory, in the form of a dove, a tower, &c., which served as receptacles for the reserved Host; they were hung up in the middle of theCiborium(q.v.). At the Amiens Museum a dove of this kind is to be seen dating from the 12th century, and at the church of St. Nazaire at Milan there is one of silver, gilded within and enamelled without, which is also very ancient.
Dowlas, O. E. Coarse linen cloth made in Brittany; “filthy dowlas!”
Drachma, Gr. (δραχμή;δράσσομαι, to hold in the hand). A drachm, the principal silver coin of the Greeks. There were two kinds ofdrachmata, which differed in value: the Attic drachm and the Æginetan. The Atticdrachmawas equal in value to a franc, equal to sixoboloi. The piece of four drachmas was called astater. As a weight the drachma was the eighth of anuncia; about = our moderndrachm.
Draco, Gen. (1) A dragon; the ensign of the Roman cohort in the time of Trajan, adopted from the Parthians. (2) A fantastic animal of Pagan mythology: the garden of the Hesperides, the Golden Fleece, and the fountain of Castalia were all guarded by dragons. (3) In Christian archæology the dragon symbolizes sin, especially idolatry. (4) The Chinese give to several immortals the figure of a dragon. They distinguish the long dragon of heaven, a being especially sacred; the Kau, dragon of the mountain; and the Li, dragon of the sea. The dragons are represented as “gigantic saurians, with powerful claws, and terminated by a frightful head, scaly and strongly toothed.” There are the scaly dragon, the winged dragon, the horned and the hornless dragons, and the dragon rolled within itself which has not yet taken flight to the upper regions. In their zodiacal system the dragon is the sign for the month of March. (SeeTchy.)
Draconarius, R. The standard-bearer who carried thedraco.
Dracontarium, R. A band for the head, so called because it was twisted in imitation of thedracowhich was used as an ensign.
Fig. 270. Heraldic Dragon.
Fig. 270. Heraldic Dragon.
Fig. 270. Heraldic Dragon.
Dragon, Her. A winged monster having four legs. (SeeDraco.)
Dragon.A short carbine (hence “dragoons”).
Dragon’s Blood.A resinous astringent extract of a deep red colour, used as a colouring ingredient for spirit and turpentine varnishes and paints, &c. The Romancinnabarwas Dragon’s Blood.
Draught(orDrawte)Chamber, O. E. The withdrawingroom.
Draughts, Game of.(SeeDames,Latrunculi.)
Dravid’ha, Hind. A Hindoo temple constructed on an octagonal plan. (SeeNagaras,Vimana,Vesara.)
Fig. 271. Dresden milk-jug.
Fig. 271. Dresden milk-jug.
Fig. 271. Dresden milk-jug.
Dresden Porcelain, made at the Royal Manufactory established at Meissen in Saxony in 1709, is most excellent anterior to 1796, since when its ancient perfection has been lost. The mark of the best period is two crossed swords, with a sloped cross or a small circle beneath. The later mark has a star beneath the swords. On rejected pieces the swords were cut across with a line; but the manufactory at the present day counterfeits its old marks. Fig.271is a specimen of the best period, later than 1720 and before 1778.
Fig. 272. Pot-pourri vase, Dresden china.
Fig. 272. Pot-pourri vase, Dresden china.
Fig. 272. Pot-pourri vase, Dresden china.
DressoirorDressouer(thebuffetof the 15th century, theévidenceof the 16th) was the principal object of the dining-room, on which were displayed all the ornamental plate of the owner of the house, costly vases, &c. Kings had often three dressers, one for silver, another for silver-gold, and the third for gold plate. In form they varied; but they were made of the most valuable woods, and enriched with the finest carving. They were sometimes covered over with cloth of gold: the city of Orleans offered one in gold to Charles IV., which was valued at 8000 livres Tournois.
Drilbu, Hind. A bell used in Buddhist worship.
Drinking-cups of Glassare frequently found in the Saxon barrows or graves in England. They are ornamented in various patterns, and rounded at the bottom. The Anglo-Saxons were also rich in cups of the precious metals. They used horn cups also, as did the Normans. In the 15th century flat-shaped cups or bowls were used.
Drip, Arch. The edge of a roof; the eaves; the corona of a cornice.
Drip-stone, Arch. The moulding in Gothic architecture which serves as a canopy for an opening and to throw off the rain. It is also calledweather-mouldingandwater-table. (See alsoCorona.)
Dromo,Dromon, R. (δρόμων;δραμεῖν, to run). A vessel remarkable for its swift sailing; hence—
DromonorDromound, O. E. A mediæval ship, propelled by oars and one sail, used for the transport of troops. The Crusaders called it adromedary.
Dromos, Gr. and Egyp. (δρόμος). (1) The Spartan race-course. (2) An avenue leading to the entrances of Egyptian temples; that leading to the great temple of Karnac contained 660 colossal sphinxes, all of which were monoliths.
Drop Lakeis a pigment obtained from Brazil wood, which affords a very fugitive colour.
Drops, Arch. (Lat.guttæ). Ornaments resembling drops, used in the Doric entablature, immediately under theTRIGLYPHandMUTULE.
Druidic(Monuments), Celt. Celtic monuments, also known by the name ofMegalithic. (SeeStanding stones,Dolmens,Menhirs,Cromlechs, &c.). The most ancient and probably the largest Celtic or Druidical temple was at Avebury in Wiltshire.Dr. Stukeley, who surveyed it in 1720, says that “this may be regarded as the grand national cathedral, while the smaller circles which are met with in other parts of the island may be compared to the parish or village churches.”
Drum, Arch. (1) Of a dome or cupola, theStylobate(or vertical part on which the columns rest). (2) Of the Corinthian and Composite capitals, the solid part; called alsoBell,Vase,Basket.
Dry Point.Direct engraving upon copper with the sharp etching-needle itself, without the plate being covered with etching-ground, or the lines bit in by acid. This method produces very soft and delicate work, but it is not so durable in printing as the etched line.
Dryers.In painting, substances imparted to oils to make them dry quickly. The most general in use isOXIDEofLEAD, but white copperas, oxide of manganese, ground glass, oxide of zinc, calcined bones, chloride of lime, and verdigris have all been used at various times.
Drying Oil.Boiled oil, used in painting as a vehicle and a varnish. It is linseed oil boiled with litharge (or oxide of lead).
Dryness.A style of painting in which the outline is harsh and formal, and the colour deficient in mellowness and harmony.
Duck-bills, O. E. Broad-toed shoes of the 15th century.
Fig. 273. Duke’s coronet.
Fig. 273. Duke’s coronet.
Fig. 273. Duke’s coronet.
Duke, Her. The highest rank and title in the British peerage; first introduced by Edward III. in the year 1337, when he created the Black Prince the first English duke (in Latin “dux”). The coronet of a duke, arbitrary in its adornment until the 16th century was far advanced, is now a circlet, heightened with eight conventional strawberry-leaves, of which in representation three and two half-leaves are shown. (Boutell.)
Dulcimer.A musical instrument, the prototype of our pianoforte. It was very early known to the Arabs and Persians, who called itsantir. One of its old European names is thecimbal. The Hebrewnebel, or perhaps thepsanterinmentioned by Daniel, is supposed to have been a dulcimer; thepsalterionof the Greeks also. A hand organ of the Middle Ages was called a dulcimer.
Dunkirk.A manufactory of modern faience which only existed for a short time in the 18th century, and was closed within a year. The works are therefore very rare. Jacquemart mentions a clock bearing a close resemblance to certain Dutch products, inscribedDickhoofandA. Duisburg, and by the latter name identified as Dunkirk work.
Duns, Celtic. Ancient hill forts of the simplest kind, consisting of a round or oval earthen wall and ditch on a rising ground, probably contemporary with the pit dwellings.
Dunster, O. E. Broad cloth made in Somersetshire,temp.Edward III.
Dutch Pink.(SeePinks.)
Dutch White.(SeeCarbonate of Lead,Barytes.)
Dwararab’ha,Dwaragopouras,Dwaraharmya,Dwaraprasada,Dwarasala, Ind. (SeeGopouras.)