Chapter 47

Fig. 530. Pegasus. Device of Cardinal Bembo.

Pegasus.A horse with wings; emblem of fame, eloquence, poetic study, and contemplation. A bronze medal of Cardinal Bembo, the great Italian author of the 16th century, in the Museum at South Kensington, shows his device given above. (Fig.530.)

Pegma, R. (πῆγμα, i. e. a thing fastened). (1) This term denotes generally anything made of a number of boards joined together. (2) In a more restricted sense it means a theatrical machine of several stages (tabulata), one above the other, which could be raised or lowered by balance weights. On such stages gladiators calledpegmaresfought in the amphitheatres, and battles and other scenes were represented. When they were used in sacrifices, the victim was slaughtered in an upper stage and the priest stood in one under the ground, and was afterwards brought up to be shown to the people with the blood of the victim upon him. In theatres similarpegmatawere employed for the purpose of changing the scenery. (3) Lastly the term was used to denote any kind of wooden furniture or joinery in a house, such as shelves, side-boards, bookcases, &c.

Pegola, It. Greek pitch; boiled resin for varnishes.

Pel, O. E. (Lat.palus). A post, six feet in height, set firmly in the ground, to be hewn at with sword or mace for exercise. The weapons were double the ordinary weight, and the swordsman had to cover himself from imaginary blows in return with a shield, called afan, also of double weight. (SeeQuintain.) (ConsultMeyrick, vol. i. 145.) The pel was in the same way set up as a mark to throw spears at, and for archery practice.

Pelecinon, Gr. A sun-dial so called because it ended in a “dove-tail” (πελεκῖνος).

Fig. 531. A Pelican in its piety.

Pelicantearing open her breast to feed her young with her own blood was an early symbol of the Redemption and of the virtue of Charity. As a device it was borne by William of Orange, with the appropriate motto “Pro lege, grege et rege” (for the law, the people, and the king); a slight modification of that of Alphonso the Wise. (Fig.531.) It is described in Heraldry as “a pelican in its piety.”

Pelisse(frompellis, a skin). A robe made of fur.

Pellet, Her. A blackROUNDLE.

Pellicatus, R. (pellis, a skin). Literally, covered withskin. The term was specially applied to earthenware vessels which were covered over with skin in order to keep the provisions they held fresh.

Pellitus, R. (pellis, skin). Clothed by means of skins; dressed in furs.

Pelluvia,Pelluvium, R. (pes, a foot, andluo, to wash). A basin in which the feet were washed, in contradistinction to the vessel calledmalluvium.

Pelta, Gr. (πέλτη). A small shield made of some light material, such as wood or wicker-work, and covered with leather. In shape it was sometimes elliptical, but more often cut away at the top, so that at that part it resembled a crescent. (CompareClipeus.)

Pelvis, R. A general term used in ancient times to denote any kind of circular-shaped vessel. The term corresponded to the Greekπελίκα.

Penates(penus, food). Household gods who were believed by the ancients to be the bestowers of all the worldly blessings enjoyed by a family.

Pencil.A collection of rays of light converging to a point is so called.

Pendant.In Heraldry, drooping.

Pendant Key-stone.A synonym ofPendentive. (See this word andFurca.)

Pendants, Arch. Ornaments hanging down from the ceilings and roofs of Gothic architecture. Generally, a pair of pictures or statues appropriate to each other are calledpendanteach of the other.

Pendentives, Arch. In a spherical roof intersected with groined compartments, the termpendentiveswas applied to the surfaces included between such compartments. The same term is applied to the surfaces included in the angles formed by a groined vaulting at its spring.

Penetrale, R. An inner apartment. (Cf.Adytum.)

Penicillum,Penicillus, R. (penis, a tail). (Gr.ὑπογραφίς.) A painter’s pencil or brush. The brushes of the ancients were made either with hair or a kind of sea-weed or sponge.

Peniculus.Synonym ofPenicillum.

Penna, R. A quill, a large and strong feather, in contradistinction topluma, which denotes the small feathers spread over a bird’s body; and thence a writing-pen, which was used instead of thearundoorcalamus.

Penna, Med. During the Middle Ages this term was used to denote the battlements of a castle wall, and thence the castle itself.

Fig. 532. Pennon.

Pennon, Her. An armorial lance-flag, pointed or swallow-tailed at the fly, borne by knights.

Pentachord.Any musical instrument having five strings; a system of five sounds.

Pentacle(It.pentacolo). A talisman; a figure formed of two triangles, intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star. A frequent object in early ornamental art.

Pentagon.A figure of five sides and five angles.

Pentagraph.A mechanism contrived to facilitate the copying of drawings on a different scale, invented by Christopher Scheiner, a Suabian Jesuit, in the 16th century.

Pentahedron.A solid figure having five equal sides.

Pentalpha.The pentacle was so called.

“A star of five points, composed of five A’s interlaced, was formerly made by physicians the symbol of health, under the name of Pentalpha.” (Menestrier.)

Pentaptych.An altar painting of five or more leaves. (SeeDiptych.)

Pentaspastos, Gr. (παντά-σπαστος). A kind of pulley, theblockof which contains a system of five pulleys (orbiculi). This engine was employed to lift great weights.

Pentastyle, Arch. A portico of five columns.

Pentathlon, Gr. Greek games similar to theQuinquertium(q.v.) of the Romans, frequently represented on ancient vases.

Pentelic Marblefrom a mountain of that name near Athens, of which the Parthenon and other temples are built, has a beautifulwarmyellowish tone, comparable to ivory. All the Athenian statues are of this marble.

Penteloris.(SeeParagauda.)

Pent-roof, Arch. A roof sloping only from one side; hence apent-housefor a house or shed covered by such a roof.

Penula.(SeePænula.)

Penumbra(Lat.pene, almost, andumbra, shade). The part of a picture where the light and shade blend together.

Peperino, It. (pepe, pepper). A pepper-coloured building stone much used in the construction of ancient Rome, formerly calledLapis Albanus.

Fig. 533. Thalia, the Muse of Comedy.Wearing the chiton and peplos.

PeplumandPeplus, Gr. (πέπλονandπέπλος). The robe peculiarly proper to Minerva. (SeePanathenæa.) A large full robe or shawl worn by women, corresponding to thehimationorpalliumof the men. On occasions of funerals or weddings this shawl was thrown over the head as a veil. The choicest productions of the loom in antiquity werepepli; and the most splendid dyes, and curious workmanship, and skilful designs were lavished upon their manufacture. They were a common form of offering to the treasures of the temples. A fine statue in the British Museum represents the Muse Thalia wearing thepeplosandchiton, and holding the pastoralpedumin her hand. (Fig.533.)

Per, Her. In blazoning the divisions of a shield the term “per,” signifying “by” or “by means of,” is employed sometimes alone, and sometimes (having the same signification) with the word “party” or “parted.” The following are the primary divisions of a shield:—Fig.a,Per Pale, orParted per Pale, orParty per Pale; Fig.b,Per FesseorParted per Fesse; Fig.c,Per CrossorQuarterly(Per PaleandPer Fessetogether); Fig.d,Per Bend; Fig.e,Per Bend Sinister; Fig.f,Per Saltire(Per BendandPer Bend Sinister); Fig.g,Per Chevron; Fig.h,Per TierceorTiercée(divided into three equal divisions by two vertical lines). (Boutell.)

Fig. 534. Divisions of the heraldic shield.

Pera, R. (πήρα). A wallet or haversack of leather or hide, which was carried, slung over the shoulder, by travellers, peasants, and beggars. The Cynic philosophers, anticipating the fraternity of theGueux, adopted the wallet as a distinctive part of their costume.

Pergula, R. (pergere, to continue on). Generally, any construction added to another beyond the original plan, generally in the way of a lean-to; e. g. a balcony built over the colonnades of a forum, or a gallery placed on a house-top; a room in which paintings were exhibited; a lecture-room, &c.

Periactos, R. (περί-ακτος, i. e. that turns round). A theatrical machine used by the ancients; it was of very simple construction, being formed of three frames arranged so as to form a triangular prism, on each face of which a different scene was painted. At each side of the stage there was aperiactoswhich turned on pivots as required, so as to admit of a rapid change of scene.

Periapts, O. E. Charms worn about the neck. (Shakspeare.)

Peribolê, Gr. and R. (περιβολὴ, an enclosing). The sacred enclosure of a temple, which was in some instances of sufficient size to contain not only altars and statues of the god, but shrines and a sacred wood. In Christian architecture the word was used for the wall of enclosure of the choir, &c.

Peridot, Fr. A yellow gem supposed to be thetopazof the ancients.

Peridromê, Gr. and R. (περι-δρομὴ, a running round). A gallery or covered promenade which ran round a temple or other building.

Perigee.Near the earth;figuratively“at its lowest.”

Perihelion.Near the sun;figuratively“at its highest.”

Perimeter.The outline of a rectilinear figure.

Peripatetics.Disciples of Aristotle, whowalked aboutduring his lectures in the Lyceum at Athens.

Peripetasma(περι-πέτασμα). A general term including anything that is flat and hung up or spread out, such as a covering, tapestry, hangings, curtains, &c.

Periphery, Gr. and R. (περι-φέρεια). (1) The circumference of a curvilinear figure. (2) Ornaments in relief executed on the sides of vases,running roundthem. (SeeCrustæ.)

Fig. 535. Ground-plan of apseudo-peripteraltemple.

Periptery, Arch, (περί-πτερος, lit. with wings around). A building surrounded by columns at equal distances one from the other; the distance between the wall of enclosure and the colonnade being equal to that between the columns.Peripteral templesare distinguished asmonopteral, or those with a single row of columns;dipteral, those with two rows;pseudo-dipteral, or buildings with one row of columns standing apart and one embedded; lastly,pseudo-peripteral(Fig.535), or buildings whose columns are embedded in the wall.

Periscelis, Gr. (περι-σκελίς). (1) An anklet worn by Oriental and Greek women, and less frequently by Roman ladies also. (2) The word is sometimes used forfeminalia(q.v.).

Peristerium, Chr. A kind of canopy surrounding the sacred vessels containing the host. The eucharistic doves are calledperistera.

Peristroma, R. (περί-στρωμα). In general, anything used as a covering, in especial that which is spread over a bed, and thence curtains, carpets, or hangings.

Peristyle, Arch. (περί-στυλον). A building theinteriorof which is surrounded with columns, the opposite ofPeripteros; a building may, however, be peripteral and yet possess a peristyle. The term is also a Greek name for theAtrium.

Perivalium, Med. A Latin word used in the Middle Ages to denote the choir of a church, or the stalls of the choir.

Permanent White.(SeeConstant White.)

Pero, R. A tall boot reaching to the calf, made of untanned leather with the fur on, worn by shepherds and agricultural labourers, and still common in Italian villages.

Perogue.(SeePirogue.)

Perpend-stone, Arch. A large stone reaching through the wall, visible on both sides.

Perpendicular Style of Architecture.The third and last of the pointed or Gothic styles of architecture used in England. It was developed from the Decorated during the latter part of the 14th century, and continued in use till the middle of the 16th, when it gave way to the style calledElizabethan. It is peculiar to England. Its chief characteristics are a general prevalence of perpendicular lines, panelling of flat surfaces, and the multiplicity of small shafts with which the piers, &c., are overlaid.

Perron, Arch. A staircase, or flight of steps, outside a building.

Perse, Fr. Chintz.

Persian.A thin inferiorsilkused for lining garments.

Persian Blinds(Fr.Persiennes). Venetian blinds.

Fig. 536. Persian Bowl.

Fig. 537. Flask. Persian.

Persian Pottery.The illustrations (from Jacquemart’sHistory of the Ceramic Art) are (Fig.536) a bowl of soft porcelain, blue externally and decorated with abundant vegetation and fantastic birds with peacocks’ tails; (Fig.537) a flask, also of soft porcelain, characterized by a blackish-blue scroll encircling the principal subject; and (Fig.538) a faience tile which M. Jacquemart considers pure Mohammedan art, is very interesting for the subject that it represents—the caaba or sacred mosque of Mecca, the object of the Mohammedan pilgrimage. (ConsultSouvenir d’un voyage en Perse,Comte de Rochchouart.)

Fig. 538. Persian Plaque, with polychrome decoration.

Persian Red.(SeeIndian Red.)

Persiana, It. (1) A silk with a pattern of large flowers. (2) Venetian blinds; Persiennes.

Persians, Gr. and R. (περσικά). Columns the shafts of which consist of figures of Persian slaves; they are also known asPersian columns.

Fig. 539. Persona comica.

Persona, Gr. and R. A mask worn by actors upon the stage; there werepersonæ tragicæ,comicæ(Fig.539),mutæ, &c., that is, masks for tragic, comic, or mute persons, &c. The custom is attributed to that of smearing the face with certain juices and colours, and appearing in disguise at the festivals of Dionysus; and is probably as old as the drama itself.

Perspective.The art of representing on a flat surface the appearance of objects from one given point of view.Linear perspectiveis the science by which the principles of geometry are applied in this art. (SeeAerialandIsometrical Perspective.)

Pertica, R. A rod, pole, or stick; a foot, or measure of length divided into twelve inches (unciæ) and sixteen fingers (digiti).

Perticæ, Chr. In mediæval architecture, beams behind the altar in a church, from which relics were suspended on days of festival.

Peruque.(SeeWigs.)

Peruvian Architecture.The Peruvian temples and palaces were generally low and spacious, constructed of great blocks of stone often 38 feet by 18 and 6 feet in thickness. The interiors were richly ornamented, the sides of the apartments being thickly studded with gold and silver. Niches in the walls were filled with images of plants and animals, also of the precious metals. The Western wall of the temple was placed to receive the first rays of the rising sun upon a statue of the god engraved on a plate of gold and thickly studded with emeralds and precious stones.

Pes, R. A foot; the standard measure of length, composed of 12unciæorinches, or 16digiti,finger-breadths. It equalled 11·6496 inches English.

Pesante, It. A weight = half a drachm.

Fig. 540. Vase of Pesaro Ware.

Pesaro Ware.The particular characteristic of the mother-of-pearl majolica of Pesaro is a pale, limpid yellow, associated with a pure blue; under the effect of luminous rays these colours become animated and shoot out in pencils of red, golden yellow, green, and blue of remarkable intensity. (Jacquemart.) (Fig.540.)

Peseta, Sp. A silver coin, about the fourth of a Mexican dollar; about 10½d.

Pesillo, It. Small scales used for weighing gold and silver, and gems.

Pessi(Gr.πεσσοί). Draughts. (SeeLatrunculi.)

Pessulus, R. A bolt for a door.

Petasus, Gr. and R. (πέτασος, i. e. that which spreads out). (1) A soft felt hat with broad brim. (2) The winged cap of Mercury. Most of the horsemen in the Panathenaic procession (seeElgin Marbles) wear the petasus. In Greek art it is a conventional sign of a traveller. (ComparePileus.)

Petaurum, R. (πέταυρον, lit. a perch for fowls). A machine employed in the Roman games; probably a fixed “see-saw.”

Peter-boat, O. E. A riverfisherman’swherry.

Petit Canon, Fr. A kind of printing-type;two-linein English.

Petit Gris, Fr. Minever fur. (SeeVair.)

Petit Texte, Fr. A kind of printing-type;brevier.

Petoritum, R. An open four-wheeled carriage, a kind of cart used for conveying slaves. Its Gallic origin is indicated by the etymology of the word, viz.petoer, four, andrit, a wheel.

Petronel(Fr.poictrinal). A piece of artillery or fire-arm, used in the 16th century, which was afterwards converted into a clumsy gun called ablunderbuss. It was the medium between the arquebus and the pistol.

Petunse, Chinese. A fine clay used for porcelain; a kind of kaolin.

Peulvan, Celt. (SeeMenhir.)

Pewter.An alloy of 100 parts of tin to 17 of antimony; or 89 tin, 7 antimony, and 2 copper. Tin and zinc, and lead and tin, are sometimes used to make pewter. The ancient guild of the Pewterers’ Company have their hall in Lime Street.

Phæcasia, Gr. and R. (φαικάσιον). White shoes worn by different classes among the Greeks and Romans, but more especially by the priests and gymnasiarchs.

PhalæorFalæ, R. Wooden towers which were erected temporarily in a circus for the display of sham fights and captures of cities. (ComparePegma.)

Phalangæ,Palangæ, R. (φάλαγξ). A pole employed for carrying purposes. Two men took the ends of this pole upon the shoulders, the burden being suspended from it in the middle. The same term was also applied to the rollers placed beneath objects whose weight rendered them difficult to move. The persons who made use ofphalangæfor carrying anything were calledphalangarii.

Phalanx, Gr. A close compact mass of infantry soldiers drawn up in files, usually eight deep. The Theban phalanx was twenty-five in depth.

Phalarica.(SeeFalarica.)

Fig. 541. Gallic Phalera.

Phaleræ, R. (φάλαρα). Medals of gold, silver, or bronze (Fig.541), worn upon the breast as a military decoration, and frequently displayed on the harness of the horses.

Phannel, O. E. (SeeFanon.)

Phantasmagoria.Literally, a procession of images. A name applied especially to dissolving views shown by the alternate use of each of two magic lanterns.

Pharetra, Gr. and R. (φαρέτρα). A quiver. This was made of hide or leather, often richly ornamented with gold, painting, or braiding. It had a lid, and hung, from a belt over the right shoulder, on the left hip. (SeeCorytus,Quivers.)

Pharos,Pharus, Gr. and R. (φάρος). A lighthouse; the name was derived from that which Ptolemy Philadelphus erected in the island of Pharos, at the entrance to the harbour of Alexandria, in Egypt.

Phaselus, Egyp. (φάσηλος). A light Egyptian boat, long and narrow in shape, and made of very slight materials, such as osier, papyrus, and terra-cotta; it derived its name from the resemblance it bore to the pod of a bean (φάσηλος).

Fig. 542. Phaskon.

Phaskon, Gr. A vessel of a flattened ovoid form, with a long spout, and a handle at the top, like the askos.

Phenakistoscope(φενακιστικὸς, deceptive, andσκοπέω, to view), orSpectroscope. A toy for illustrating the duration of impressions on the retina of the eye. (SeeSpectra.)

Phenicine.An indigo purple pigment.

Fig. 543. Pheon.

Pheon, Her. A pointed spear-head borne with the point in base. (Boutell.) “Thepeon, orpheon, was a barbed javelin; the heads of these are still heraldic bearings, and from their figure, we find the barbsescalloped, orinveckedas the heralds term it, aside.” (Meyrick.)

Pheretrum.(SeeFeretrum.)

Phiala,Phialê, Gr. (φιάλη). The Greek term synonymous with the LatinPatera. ButJacquemartsays, “Quant à la phiale, sorte depetite bouteillequi nous a donné le motfiole; elle figure assez souvent dans les mains des divinités.”

Fig. 544. Part of the Frieze of the temple of Apollo Epicurius near Phigalia.

Phigalian Marbles.Friezes in the Hellenic room of the British Museum, from a temple to Apollo Epicurius, near the ancient Phigalia in Arcadia. There are twenty-three slabs in high relief, eleven representing the battle between the Centaurs and the Lapithæ, and the rest the contest of the Greeks and Amazons. They are attributed to the same period as the Parthenon, but are considered inferior in style and workmanship. (Fig.544.)

Philactery.(SeePhylactery.)

Philomel.Poetical for the nightingale.

PhilyraandPhilura, Gr. (φιλύρα). Strips of papyrus used for making a sheet of writing-paper; ten or twelve strips of papyrus were first glued together lengthwise, and at the back of these a sufficient number of strips were fastened crosswise to double the thickness of the surface so obtained.

Phimus, Gr. (φιμός). A Greek term synonymous withFritillus(q.v.).

Phiolæ Rubricatæ.(SeeSanguinolenta.)

Fig. 545. Phœnix. Device of Cardinal Trent.

Phœnix, Chr. In Christian archæology the phœnix, which is consumed by concentrating the sun’s rays in its body, and immediately rises again from its ashes, represents the mystery of the resurrection after death. In this sense it was adopted frequently as a device by ecclesiastics. (SeeBennou.) In blazon it is always represented as issuant from flames. (Fig.545.)

Phorminx, Gr. (φόρμιγξ). Homer’s epithet for the ancientlyre. It was a large lyre, and resembled thecitharaof later times, or the modern guitar. It was used at an early period singly, or for accompanying recitations.

Photogalvanography.An art invented by Mr. Paul Pretsch, of Vienna, for printing from photographs by the medium of gutta percha. For a description of the process, see theManual of Photography, 5th edition, pp. 269, 270.

Photoglyphic Engraving.An invention of Mr. Fox Talbot (1858) for engraving on metal plates by the action of light. (SeePhotographic Journal, vol. v. p. 58.)

Photography.A great many processes of producing pictures by the action of the sun’s rays upon a sensitive surface are included under this general term, such as the Daguerreotype, the Talbotype, &c. [Consult in the first instanceR. Hunt’s Manual of Photography, from which reference can be taken to other authorities.]

Photolithography.The art of preparing lithographic stones for printing from, by the medium of photography.

Photometallography.A process of etching on metal plates, by the action of light, invented by Mr. C. J. Burnett (1858). (SeePhotographic Journal, vol. v. p. 97.)

Photometer.An instrument for measuring theintensityof light.

Phototype.A plate, like an engraved plate, produced from a photograph, for printing from.

Photozincography.The art of preparing zinc plates for printing from, by the medium of photography.

Phrase.In Music, a passage of melody or harmony containing a musical idea, more or less complete in respect of cadence.

Phrygian.Applied to music of a lively kind. (Cf.Lydian.)

Phrygian Work, O. E. Embroidery. (SeeOrfrays.)

Phrygianum(opus). A name given to all fine embroidery by the Romans, at a period when the work of the Phrygian women was most perfect.

Phrygio, R. A Phrygian, or embroiderer, because the inhabitants of Phrygia had the reputation of being excellent embroiderers.

Phylactery, Gen. (φυλακτήριον, a preservative). (1) A general term which included any kind of amulet worn about the person as a protection against dangers of all kinds. (2) Strips of parchment or vellum, upon which the Jews transcribed passages from the sacred books, and which they either wore upon the arm or the forehead, in a small leather box. (3) In the Middle Ages the term was applied to the scrolls held in the hands of angels or other persons represented in painting or sculpture. These scrolls bore inscriptions. (SeeLabels.)

Phylaka, Gr. (φυλακή). A prison; a Greek term corresponding to the Latin wordsCarcerandErgastulum(q.v.).

Phytography.A process of nature-printing from plants, by passing them between soft metal plates through a rolling press.

Piazza, It. A square or open place surrounded by buildings, generally supported by pillars, and forming a vaulted promenade; hence the term is sometimes applied to the archways of a colonnade.

Pibroch, Scotch. Bagpipe music.

Pica(pic). Printing-type of the size formerly used in printing thepic, or service-book.

Piccadilly, Old Fr. A high, broad, peaked collar or ruff,temp.James I. The tailor who made these ruffs is said to have built the street called by this name.

Piccagium, Med. Lat. (English use). Money paid in fairs for breaking ground.

Piccolo, It. A small flute. Small pianofortes are so called also.

Pictura, R. (pingo, to paint). The art of painting;pictura in tabula, a painting on wood;pictura in linteoorin sipario, a painting on canvas;pictura inusta, a painting in encaustic or wax;pictura udo tectorio, a fresco-painting. Embroidery was calledpictura textilis.

Picturatus, R. Painted;tabella picturata, a painted panel;linteum picturatum, embroidered linen.

Pièce de Maitrise, Fr. A test-work produced by an apprentice to prove his competence to become amasterof his art or craft.

Piedouche, Fr. A bracket-pedestal.

Pieds de Hérisson, Fr. Fabulous animals so called represented on Persian pottery, mentioned by Jacquemart (p. 152); having the legs of a stag, the tail of a tiger, and the head of a woman. The legend is that Mohamet and Ali will mount such beasts on the Day of Judgment.

Piers, in Architecture, are the perpendicular supports from whicharchesspring.

Pietà, It. A picture or statue of the Body of Christ, attended by the Virgin Mary, or by holy women and angels.

Pietra Dura.Mosaic panelling of hard pebbles of variegated colours, representing fruit, birds, &c. in relief, and used as a decoration for coffers and cabinets in the 15th century.

Pietré Commesse, It. Costly inlaid-work representing flowers, fruit, &c., in precious stones—such as agates, jaspers, lapis lazuli, &c.—introduced in Florence in the 17th century, and still maintained in the royal manufactory of that city. The finest examples are in the chapel of the Medici attached to the cathedral church of St. Lorenzo.

Pig.A black pig was represented at St. Anthony’s feet, representing his victory over sensuality and gluttony. The monks of the order of St. Anthony used to keep herds of consecrated pigs.

Pigments.The colours used in painting. A large number are described in their order. Standard works on ancient and modern pigments areEastlake’s Materials for a History of Painting;Merrifield’s Ancient Art of Painting;Hundertpfund’s Art of Painting restored to its Simplest and Surest Principles. An exhaustive catalogue of other works on the subject has been issued by the Librarian of the South Kensington Museum.

Pike.A celebrated infantry weapon now replaced by the bayonet, consisting of a strong spear or lance with a spike at the butt for fixing in the ground. The shape of the head has varied at different periods.

Pila, R. This word has different meanings, according as the first syllable is long or short. In the first case it denotes (1) a mortar; (2) a pillar or conical pier for supporting the superstructure of a bridge; (3) a breakwater. When the first syllable is short, the word denotes (1) a playing-ball. The game of ball, from the earliest times to the fall of the Roman Empire, was one of the favourite exercises of the Greeks and Romans. In the baths and the gymnasiums a room (sphæristerium) was set apart for the purpose.Pilawas a small ball;follis, a large one filled with air: other balls were thepaganicaand theharpastum. (2)Pila vitrea, a glass globe. (3) A dummy made to roughly imitate the human form.

Pilaster, It. A square pillar on a wall, partly embedded in it, one-fourth or one-fifth of its thickness projecting.

Pile.(1) Her. One of the ordinaries, in form like a wedge. (2) An arrow used in hunting, with a round knob below the head, to prevent it penetrating too far. (3) The nap or surface on velvet.

Pileatus, R. One who wears thepileus, or skull-cap of felt; it was specially worn by the seafaring classes, and also by the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux).

Pilentum, R. A state carriage in which the Roman ladies rode when attending any ceremony, whereas for purposes of recreation or for visiting they made use of thecarpentumor theharmamaxa.

Pileolus, R. Diminutive ofPileus; it was a small felt skull-cap which hardly covered the top of the head.

Pileus,Pileum, R. (πῖλος, felt). A kind of close-fitting felt cap worn more particularly by the seafaring classes. Thepileusvaried in form amongst the different nations by whom it was adopted; it was worn exclusively by men. The most familiar form of the pileus, in art, is the Phrygian bonnet, or cap of liberty. (Cf.Petasus.)

Pillar Dollarsare Spanish silver coins, stamped on the obverse with the royal arms of Spain supported by two columns.

Pillion, O. E. A soft pad-saddle with a footrest, for a woman or child to ride on behind a man.

PilloworHead-stool, Egyp. A kind of rest for the head, made sometimes of stone (onyx, alabaster, or sandstone), but more generally of wood, and used by the Egyptians to support and raise the head during sleep. In form it was a half-cylinder, and the base was more or less raised above the ground. This kind of pillow is still in use at the present day among various peoples, particularly the Nubians, the Japanese, and the Ashantees of Western Africa.

Pillow-beres, O. E. Pillow-cases. They were at all times an object of rich ornamentation.

Pillow Lace.Lace worked by hand, by throwingbobbinsupon a cushion or pillow. (SeeLace.)

Pilum, R. A javelin; the missile weapon of the Roman infantry, but used likewise as a pike for charging the enemy. It was a thick strong weapon, 6 feet 3 inches in length, half of wood and half of iron, with a barbed head of 9 inches of solid iron. The term also denotes a heavy pestle for bruising things in a mortar.

Pilus, Med. Lat. (Fr.pieu). A pointed club or javelin.

Pina, Sp. An amalgam of silver.

Pinacotheca, Gr. and R. (πινακο-θήκη). A picture-gallery, one of the ordinary adjuncts to Greek or Roman houses of wealthy private persons.

Pinaculum, Gr. and R. (a ridge or crest). A roof terminating in a ridge, the ordinary covering for a temple, whereas private houses had a flat roof.

Pinchbeck.An alloy of 85 per cent. copper or brass, and 15 per cent. zinc; named after its inventor. It is sometimes calledtomback.

Pindaric.Of verses, irregular in metre; like the verses of the lyric poet Pindar.

Pingle Pan, Scotch. A small tin ladle used for mixing children’s food.

Pink Madder.(SeeMadder.)

Pinking.Stamping out borders and edges upon textile fabrics with a cutting instrument.

Pinks(Fr.stil de grain). These are water-colour pigments of a yellow or greenish-yellow colour produced from the precipitation of vegetable juices, such as saffron, aloes, buckthorn-berries, broom-flowers, &c., upon chalk or whiting. They areItalian pink, sometimes calledyellow lake;brown pink,rose pink, andDutch pink.

Pinna, R. (lit. a wing). (1) The top of an embattled wall, thebattlements. (2) The blade of a rudder.

Pinnacle, Arch. A small spire, generally with four sides and ornamented; it is usually placed on the tops of buttresses, both external and internal.

Pins.Metal pins were introduced into this country from France in 1543, previous to which ladies were accustomed to fasten their dresses with skewers of box-wood, ivory, or bone.

Pipe.A musical wind instrument, represented in the 14th century, inStrutt’s Sports and Pastimes, as used with theTABORto accompany mountebanks, &c. (See alsoAulos,Pito, &c.)

Pipe-clay.An oily clay found in large quantities in Devonshire; used for moulding earthenware, but chiefly for tobacco-pipes.

Piriform, Arch. Pear-shaped. The term is applied to roofs domed in the form of a pear; the Baptistery of Parma may be cited as an example.

Pirogue.An Indian canoe, hollowed out of a solid tree.

Piscina, R. (piscis, a fish). (1) A fishpond, an indispensable appendage to the villa of a wealthy Roman. (2) A large uncovered tank in the open air used as a swimming-bath, and distinct from thebaptisterium, which was under cover. (3)Piscina limariawas the reservoir of an aqueduct. In mediæval archæology the name was given (1) to credence-tables; (2) to baptisteries. (SeeBaptisterium,Natatorium.)

Pisé-work.A method of constructing very durable walls of blocks ofkneaded earth. It was probably suggested by the building processes of the ants, and Pliny calls such wallsformaciæ.

Pistillum,Pistillus, R. A pestle for a mortar.

Pistol.Invented at Pistoia in Tuscany. (SeePallas Armata,Sir James Turner, 1670;Meyrick, iii. 76.)

Pistole.A Spanish gold coin, worth about 16s.; the fourth of adoubloon.

Pistolese, It. A long dagger or stabbing-knife of Pistoia.

Pistrina,Pistrinum, R. (pistor, a miller). Originally this term denoted a mill for grinding grain; later on it was used exclusively to denote a house of correction for slaves who had to turn the mill. The work was of a most laborious kind.

Pistris,Pistrix, R. (πίστρις). (1) A marine monster, representations of which are to be seen on the walls of several houses at Pompeii (in the legend of Theseus and Andromeda). It is always represented with the head of a dragon, and the fins and tail of a fish; and was adopted in early Christian art for the fish that swallowed Jonah. (2) A military engine.

Pitch-blende.An ore used in porcelain painting. It produces a fine orange colour; also a black.

Pitch-pipe.A sort of whistle for ascertaining thepitchof a musical instrument, or for setting the key-note.

Pithos, R. (πίθος). A large earthenware jar with a narrow neck, used in ancient and modern times for storing wine and oil. It appears upon a bas-relief in the Villa Albani as the tub of Diogenes.

Pito, Sp. A Mexican name for thepipeof the Aztecs, which resembled aflageolet. It was made of red clay, and had four finger-holes. The young man selected as a victim at the sacrifice to Tezcatlepoca was carefully instructed before his death in the art of playing this instrument, and as he ascended the temple orTEOCALLIto the sacrifice, he broke a flute upon each of the steps of the temple.

Piu, It. Rather; used in Music, aspiu forté,ratherloud.

PixorPyx, Chr. (πυξίς). (1) A box to keep the unconsecrated altar breads in. It was generally circular, with a pointed cover, and richly enamelled. (2) The vessel in which the holy eucharist was suspended over the altar. (3) The box kept at the British Mint to contain the coins selected to be tried in assay, to ascertain whether the coinage is of the standard purity. (SeeCiborium[3],Monstrance, &c.)

Pizzicato(It.). An expression in music; playing on the violin like a harp.

Placage, Fr. Veneering or inlaying.

Plack, Scotch. A small copper coin formerly current in Scotland; equal to the third of an English penny.

Placket, O. E. A petticoat. (Shakspeare.)

Plafond,Plafonner, Fr. Arch. (plat-fond). The French term for a ceiling, often the subject of elaborate architectural, carved, or painted decoration. The peculiar foreshortened perspective characteristic of figure-pictures on a ceiling is hence described as “plafonné;” and it is generally said of a painter distinguished for bold foreshortenings, “Il excelle àplafonner.”Plafondsof different periods are found of wood, lath and plaster, or stone.

Plaga, R. A hunting-net, the diminutive of which isplagula(small net); the latter term also denotes the curtains hung round a couch or litter, a width of cloth, a strip of paper, &c.

Plagula.(SeePlaga.)

Planchet.A name for the smooth coin prepared for stamping before it has passed under the die.

Planeta.A robe worn bypriests, resembling theDalmatic(see Fig.236) worn bydeacons. (SeeChasuble.)

Planetary Machine.(SeeOrrery.)

Planisphere.A projection of the sphere and its various circles on a plane surface.

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