Fig. 512. Orthostata. Facing of a Greek wall.
Fig. 512. Orthostata. Facing of a Greek wall.
Fig. 512. Orthostata. Facing of a Greek wall.
Orthostata, Gr. (ὀρθόστατα, i. e. standing upright). (1) The facings of a wall, consisting of different materials from the internal part of it. (Fig.512.) (2) An anta or pilaster.
Orthron.(SeeHours of Prayer.)
Oscen,plur.Oscines, R. (os, mouth, andcano, to predict). A bird or birds from whose singing it was possible to draw auguries.
Oschophoria, Gr. (ὀσχο-φόρια, i. e. vine-branch-bearing). Athenian vintage festivals, instituted in honour of Bacchus and Ariadne by Theseus, or according to other authorities, in honour of Dionysus and Athena, in which those who took part carried vine-boughs loaded with grapes. The festival was concluded by a race on the seashore from the temple of Bacchus to that of Minerva. The victor’s prize was a cup calledPentaploa, because it containedfiveingredients: wine, honey, cheese, meal, and oil.
Oscillatio, R. A swing. The Roman swings are represented having legs like a chair.
Oscilla, R. (dimin. ofos, mouth or face). Small images or masks, generally of Bacchus, hung up in vineyards to ensure a good crop, and practically useful to scare off birds from the grapes.
Osculare,Osculatorium, Chr. (SeePax.)
OssariumandOssuarium, R. (os, a bone). A sarcophagus of earthenware, stone, or marble, in which the vessel containing the cremated ashes of the dead was placed.
Ossature, Arch. (from the Italianossatura, skeleton). The skeleton or framework of a Gothic roof or a window. In the roof, the ossature comprises the nerves, the transverse or longitudinal arches, the diagonal rib, &c.; in a window, the iron framing.
Osteau, Arch. An old term used to denote the rose placed in the upper part of a mullioned window; it was also applied to a rosace and a medallion.
Ostinati.An Italian literary academy, whose device was a pyramid blown from all quarters by the winds, with theobstinatemotto, “Frustra” (in vain).
Ostium, R. A lobby inside the entrance door of a Roman house, deep enough to contain a small porter’s lodge on one side, and leading to an inner door which opened on theAtrium. The street door was calledJanua. (SeeDomus.)
Ostrich Eggs, Chr. The practice of suspending eggs of ostriches in churches was probably introduced from the East by Crusaders.
“In some churches two eggs of ostriches, and other things which cause admiration, and which are rarely seen, are accustomed to be suspended: that by their means the people may be drawn to church, and have their minds the more affected.” (Durandus on Symbolism.)
Ostrum, R. A purple colour used by the ancients, produced from the juice of themurexfish.
Othone, Chr. (SeeStole.)
Ottone, It. Brass.
Oubliettes, Fr. Subterranean dungeons, into which prisoners were thrown to beoubliés(forgotten). The side walls were in some cases armed with strong sharp blades, which cut the victims to pieces as they fell. It should be mentioned that in many cases cesspools have been mistaken for oubliettes.
OuchorNouche, O. E. An ornament of the brooch kind; a jewel. (Mod.) The setting of a precious stone.
Oudenardes.Tapestry landscapes first made at that place; called also “tapisseries de verdure.”
Ourania, Gr. (οὐρανια, i. e. in the air). A game at catch-ball.
Outline, which has no real existence in nature, is defined by Aristotle asπέρας στερεοῦ, “the boundary of solid form.” The only light and shade used in outlines is the greater lightness or darkness of the lines.
Outré, Fr. Exaggerated, fantastic, absurd.
Oval(Lat.ovum, an egg). The oval, formed of a continuous curve, differs from theEllipse, which is equally broad at both ends, in having one end narrower than the other, and is sometimes called a false ellipse.Ovalsin windows, arches, and other parts of architecture exist, but are rare.
Ovatio.A lesser triumph distinguished fromTriumphus. The general entered the cityon foot, and dressed in the toga prætexta of a magistrate, attended only by musicians, and knights and plebeians; and the sacrifice by which the ceremony concluded was asheep(ovis) instead of a bull; hence the wordovation.
Overstory, Arch. TheClerestory.
Overture(Fr.ouverture, an opening; It.sinfonia). Instrumental music preceding an opera, &c.
Ovile, R. Literally, asheep-fold, and thence an enclosure in the Campus Martius in which each century assembled before proceeding to place its votes (tabellæ) in the urn (cista). It was divided into compartments approached through narrow passages calledpontesofponticuli. On entering, the citizens received their voting-tablets (tabellæ), and when they had consulted within the enclosure, they passed out by anotherpons, at which they threw their votes into the chest (cista).
Fig. 513. Ovolo or Quarter-round.
Fig. 513. Ovolo or Quarter-round.
Fig. 513. Ovolo or Quarter-round.
Ovolo, Arch. (from the Latinovum). (1) A convex moulding showing the quarter of a circle, and thence called quarter-round. (2) The echinus of the Doric capital. (3) An ornament composed of eggs, separated either by tongues (Fig.277) or by darts (Fig.514). (SeeEchinus.)
Fig. 514. Egg and dart moulding.
Fig. 514. Egg and dart moulding.
Fig. 514. Egg and dart moulding.
Fig. 515. Ovum. Egg-shaped balls.
Fig. 515. Ovum. Egg-shaped balls.
Fig. 515. Ovum. Egg-shaped balls.
Ovum,Egg, R. Conical egg-shaped balls which were placed upon thespinaof a circus, on a stone table supported by four columns. (Fig.515.) There was a second table at the other end of thespina, on which were placed small marble dolphins.Ovum Orphicum, or Orphic egg, was the mysterious symbol employed by Orpheus to denote the procreative principle with which the whole earth is pervaded.Ovum anguinumwas an oval ball of glass worn by the Druids round their neck; so named because, as was asserted, it was produced from the mingled saliva of two serpents (angues).
Owl.With the Athenians the owl was the emblem of prudence and wisdom; the bird of Athenê. In Christian art it symbolizes darkness and solitude, and hence unbelief.
Ox.In Christian art the attribute of St. Luke; the emblem of the priesthood and of sacrifice. In representations of the Nativity an ox and an ass are commonly introduced.
Ox-gall.The bile or bitter fluid secreted by the liver of the ox; when refined it is used in oil and water-colour painting to fix and thicken the colours. (SeeGall.)
Oxford Ochre.An oxide of iron used as a pigment of a brownish yellow in oil and water-colours. (SeeOchre.)
Oxide of Zinc.Awhitepigment which is more permanent in resisting gases than the white lead.
Oxides of Copper.The pigments derived from these were well known to the ancients. Modern pigments areBlue Verditer,Brunswick Green,Verdigris, andEmeraldorScheele’s Green(q.v.).
Oxybaphoi, Gr. Small cymbals in the shape of vinegar-saucers.
Oxybaphon(ὀξυβάφον). A Greek term applied to a bell-shaped vase with a plain foot and a moulded rim, synonymous with the LatinAcetabulum(q.v.).
Oyelet,Oylet. (SeeOillets.)
OyerandTerminer. Ancient law-French. The words meanto hear and to determine, and express the authority or commission given to an appointed court of justice.