Chapter 48

Fig. 546. Planta Genista.

Planta Genista, Her. The broom-plant badge of the Plantagenets.

Plaque, Fr. A flat plate of metal or painted china. Limoges enamels of the 15th century are described asplaques.

Plasm.A mould or matrix.

Plasma.A green transparent chalcedony found in India and China.

Plaster of Paris.The cement or plaster obtained from gypsum, originally prepared near Paris. It is usually sold in the form of white powder, and is largely used in the arts. Verrocchio (1435–1488) is said to have been the first sculptor to cast moulds in plaster of Paris. (SeeGypsum.)

Plastic Art.Sculpture; opposed toGraphic Art, or painting, &c.

Plastron, Fr. A fencing-pad to cover the body.Plastron-de-ferwas an iron breastplate worn under the hauberk, especially when the latter was of ringed mail.

Plat-band.(SeeTænia.)

Plata, Sp. Silver (hence ourplate).

Plate, Her. A silver roundle.

Plate armour, consisting entirely of metalplates, became general during the 15th century.

Plate-glass.A superior kind of thick glass, used chiefly for mirrors and for large windows.

Plate-jack, O. E. Coat armour.

Plate-marks.(SeeHall-marks.)

Plate-paperis a thick soft paper expressly prepared for printing engravings upon.

Platea, Gr. and R. (πλατεῖα, i. e. broad). A wide fine street in a city, in contradistinction to a small street calledangiportus, which means literally a narrow street.

Platen.Of a printing-press, the flat part by which the impression is made.

Plateresca, Sp. A name given to goldsmiths’ work of the 14th and 15th centuries, which reflected the complicated and delicate forms of ornament applied in the pointed architecture of the period.

Platesare properly illustrations taken from copper or steel engravings;cutsare impressions from wood-blocks.

Platina.Twisted silver wire.

Platina Yellow.Two pigments, one of a pale yellow colour, the other resemblingcadmium yellow, are sold under this name.

Platingis the art of covering metals with a thin surface of silver or gold for ornament.

Platinum(Sp.plata, silver). A white metal exceedingly ductile, malleable, and difficult of fusion. It is found in the Ural Mountains and in South America, and is much used in goldsmiths’ work in Russia.

Plaustrum, R. (plaudo, to rumble). A two-wheeled cart drawn by two oxen, and used for conveying agricultural produce;plaustrum majuswas a much larger cart mounted on four wheels. It had a long pole projecting behind, on which blocks of stone or other cargo could be balanced on planks attached. The wheels (tympana) were of solid wood nearly a foot in thickness, and their creaking was heard to a great distance (hence the name).

PlectrumorPlektron, Gr. and R. (fromπλήσσειν, to strike). A short stem of ivory or metal pointed at both ends, used to strike the chords of the lyre, thebarbiton, thecithara, and some other stringed instruments.

Plemochoê, Gr. and R. (πλημο-χοὴ, i. e. that pours a flood). A vessel in the shape of a top; it resembled thecotylê.

Plenitude, Her. Said of the moon when in full.

Plenshing-nail.A large nail for fastening the planks of floors to the joists.

Plethron, Gr. The basis of land measurement, being 100 feet square, or 10,000 square feet. As a lineal measure, 100 feet, or about 101 of English measurement.

Plinth, Arch. (πλίνθος). Lit. atileorbrick, and thence the lower projecting base of a column, pedestal, or wall, which resembles a strong square tile placed beneath the last torus at the base of a column. (SeeAbacus.)

Plinthium, R. (πλινθίον). A sun-dial, so called because its divisions were marked on a flat surface (πλίνθος).

Plocage, Fr. Carding-wool.

Plombage.Lead work.

Plombagine.Plumbago.

Plostellum.Diminutive ofPlaustrum.

Ploughsare mentioned in Deuteronomy (1451B.C.), and represented on Egyptian sculptures of still earlier date. The Roman plough of the date of our era is described by Virgil.

Plough Mondaywas the name given by our ancestors to the first Monday after the Epiphany, the return to labour after the Christmas holiday.

Plumæ, R. (lit. feathers). The scales of armour, arranged to imitate feathers. (SeePenna.)

Plumarium Opus.(SeeOpus P.)

Plumbago.A carburet of iron commonly known as black-lead, also calledGraphite, used for making crucibles and black-lead pencils.

Plumbeous Wares.Lead-glazed, by the addition of an oxide of lead in the preparation of the glaze. (SeePottery.)

Plumbum, R. (lit. lead). A general term denoting anything that is made of lead, such as a lead pipe, a slinger’s bullet, &c.

Fig. 547. Pluteus.

Pluteus, R. A general term including anything made of boards adapted to afford a support, cover, passage, &c.; and thus sometimes used as a synonym formusculusor protective shed. Fig.547, apluteusupon three wheels, was used for protecting soldiers conducting an approach at the foot of a rampart. Thesepluteiwere covered with the skins of animals, which were wetted to protect the machines from fire; and helped to deaden the shock of missiles.

Plynteria, Gr. (πλυντήρια, washing). Festivals held at Athens in honour of Athena Aglauros, in which the statue of the goddess was stripped of its garments and ornaments and washed. It was carefully concealed in the mean time, and the city being thus in a manner deprived of its protecting divinity, the day was considered an ill-omened one.

Pnigeus, R. (πνιγεὺς, lit. a choker). A kind of funnel employed to stop or repress the air in a hydraulic organ.

Pnyx, Gr. The site in Athens where theEcclesiæwere held. It was a semicircular rising ground, with an area of 12,000 square yards, levelled with a pavement of large stones, and surrounded by a wall, behind which was theBemaor platform from which speakers addressed the people.

PocillumorPoculum, R. Any cup or glass for drinking, distinct from theCraterfor mixing, and theCyathusfor ladling the wine. (Cf.Pokal.)

Poddisoy,Padusoy, O. E. (Fr.pou de soie). A rich plain silk.

Podera, Gr. (ποδήρης, i. e. reaching to the feet). A rich linen dress worn by Greek women, the edges of which were indented.

Fig. 548. Podium running round a sepulchral chamber.

Podium, Arch. (πόδιον, lit. a small foot). A low wall or basement, generally with aplinthandcornice, running round a room or in front of a building, forming a sort of shelf or seat. Fig.548shows thepodiumof a sepulchral chamber. In an amphitheatre,podiumwas the name for a raised basement which ran like a high enclosure round the whole circumference of the arena. Lastly, the term is sometimes used as a synonym for a socle, and a console or bracket.

Poële, Fr. (lit. a frying-pan). A square shield with a raised edge and a grating on it, which resembled the German baking-dish. In a tournament, the joust “à la poële” was the most dangerous of all, as the champions fought bare-headed and without armour. Their horses were blindfolded, and a coffin was brought into the course before the combat commenced. (Meyrick.)

Fig. 549.Point Lace à bride picotée.

Point Laceà bride picotéeground. This lace is made with the needle (seeNeedle Point), some parts of the pattern only slightly raised in relief being united by stitches calledbride picotée. (Fig.549.)

Point of Sight.The principal vanishing point, in perspective, to which the horizontal lines converge.

PointedorChristian Architectureis generally calledGothic; and is a general term, descriptive of all the styles that have prevailed subsequent to the introduction of thepointed arch, commencing with the 11th century.

Pointel.The mediævalstylusorgraphium(q.v.).

Points.In the 15th and 16th centuries, before the introduction of buttons, the different parts of dress were fastened with ribands, having ornamentalpointsor metal tags at the end. (See Fig.559.)

Poitrine, Fr. A breastplate for man or horse.

Fig. 550. Pokal, or German Tankard.

Pokal, Germ. (Lat.poculum). A drinking-cup. (Fig.550.)

Poke, O. E. A bag; modern pocket.

Poker Pictures.Drawings burned upon wood with hot irons; much patronized in the 18th century.

Pol,Edepol, R. A familiar oath or adjuration especially employed by the Roman women; it was an abbreviation ofBy Pollux!

Polariscope.An instrument for exhibiting the polarization of light.

Pole-axe.A weapon of the 15th century, combining a hatchet, a pike, and a serrated hammer. Used principally by cavalry.

Poleyns, Fr. (SeeGenouillières.)

PollubrumandPolubrum, R. An old term for which there was substituted later onmalluvium,aquimanale,aquiminarium,trulleum; it was a kind of basin for washing the hands, theχέρνιψ, χερόνιπτρονof the Greeks.

Polos, Gr. A kind of sun-dial. (SeeHorologium.)

Polyandrion, Chr. (Gr.πολυ-άνδριον). A common sepulchre in which more than four bodies were buried. (SeeLoculus.)

Polychord.An instrument for application to the pianoforte for coupling together the strings of two octave notes.

Polychromy.Colouring statuary, bas-reliefs, and architecture; to be distinguished from forming them of variously-coloured materials. This was not done by painting with an opaque colour, but a sort of staining of the surface by thin, transparent colouring matter. M. de Quincy states that the fine preservation of the surface of some antique statues, such as the Apollo Belvedere, Hercules of Glycon, and Venus de Medici, is attributable to the use of wax colouring. Stones of various colours were used to represent different parts of the figure, and in busts of the Roman emperors the dress is frequently of coloured marble, while the flesh is of white. [ConsultRedford’s Ancient Sculpture.]

Polyhedron.A solid with many faces or planes.

Polyptyca, Gr. (πολύ-πτυχα). (1) Tablets, a sufficient number of which are put together to form what we now call a note-book. (2) A polyptych; a picture with several compartments. (Cf.Diptych.)

Polystyle, Arch. Surrounded by several rows of columns, as in Moorish architecture. The porticoes of a Greek temple had never more than ten columns in front (decastyle).

Fig. 551. A Silver Engraved Pomander, or Scent-box, shown open and closed.

Pomander, O. E. (frompomme d’ambre, perfume apple). A scent-box worn at the end of the hanging girdles of the 16th century. (SeePouncet-box.) (Fig.551.) Consult an interesting monograph byR. H. Soden Smith, “Notes on Pomanders.”

Pomme, Her. A green roundle.

Pomœrium, R. (postandmœrium(murus) behind the walls). A line enclosing a town, marked out at intervals by stone pillars. When the limits of the town were extended, thepomœriumcould not be changed without augury by thejus pomœrii, and, in any case, only by a town whose inhabitants had contributed to the extension of the limits of the empire.

Pompa, R. and Gr. (πομπή). A solemn procession, especially that with which the games of the circus were preceded.

Pondus,Weight, R. (pendo, to suspend). An object used for weighing, either with the balance (libra), or the steelyard (statera). The same term was also applied to a weaver’s weights; these were of stone, terra-cotta, or lead.

Fig. 552. Pons.

Pons, R. (Gr.γέφυρα). (1) A bridge; the causeway (agger) which traversed the Roman bridge was paved with large polygonal stones; on either side of it was a pathway (crepido). Fig.552shows the Roman bridge at St. Chamas, at the ends of which were erected triumphal arches (fornices). (SeeFornix.)Pons subliciuswas a wooden bridge built upon piles;pons suffragiorum, the voting-bridge over which the electors passed as they came out of theseptumto cast their vote (tabella) into the urn (cista). It is probable that the Greek bridges were of wood. (2) A wharf or landing-stage by the water-side.

Poongi, Hindoo. A curious musical instrument made of a gourd, or sort of cocoa-nut, into which two pipes are inserted. It is the instrument played by the Sampuris, or snake-charmers, to the performing cobras.

Fig. 553. Pope in full pontificals.

Pope.The illustration represents the Pope of Rome in full pontificals, viz. thetiara, consisting of three crowns of gold decorated with precious stones and surmounted by a cross, and over arochet(surplice) of silk a mantle of gold-work plentifully ornamented with pearls. The under vestment, which is long, is of hyacinth colour. The slippers are of velvet with a cross of gold, which all who wish to speak to the Pope reverently kiss. Late mediæval artists attributed this costume to the First Person of the Trinity. It is given also to St. Clement, St. Cornelius, St. Fabian, St. Gregory, St. Peter, and St. Sylvanus.

Popina, R. A tavern or refreshment-place where food was sold, in contradistinction tocaupona, which was a shop for selling wine.

Popinjay, O. E. A parrot.

Poplin.A textile of modern introduction, woven of threads of silk and worsted.

Poppy, Chr. This plant, the seed of which affords a soporific oil, symbolizes, in Christian iconography, death.

Poppy Oil.A bland drying oil, obtained from poppy-seed, and used in painting. (SeeOils.)

Poppy-head.A term in decorative art for the carved ornaments with which the tops of the uprights of wood-work, such as the ends of benches, backs of chairs, bedposts, &c., were crowned.

Popularia, R. The secondmænianumor tier of seats in an amphitheatre.

Porcelain(Ancient Chinese) (from the Portugueseporcellana, little pigs; a name given to cowrie-shells by the early traders, and applied to porcelain, which they thought was made of them, or because it resembled the interior of a shell). A fine species of transparent earthenware, the chief component part of which is silex. (Fairholt.) The most ancient examples of porcelain in China are circular dishes with upright sides, very thick, strong, and heavy, and which invariably have the marks of one, two, or three on the bottom thus: I. II. III. The colours of these rare specimens vary. The kinds most highly prized have a brownish-yellow ground, over which is thrown a light shot sky-blue, with here and there a dash of blood-red. The Chinese say there are but a few of these specimens in the country, and that they are more than a thousand years old. (Fortune.) The first imitations of Chinese porcelain in Europe date from the 16th century, under the Medici family, and include specimens supposed to have been designed by the immediate pupils of Raffaelle. (SeeRaffaelle-ware.) Among the next earliest produced is that of Fulham, by Dr. Dwight, in 1671, and of St. Cloud in France about 1695.

Fig. 554. Pent-house Porch.

Porch, Arch. A structure placed in front of the door of a church or other building, and very variable in form. In the ancient basilicas the vestibule is more commonly calledNarthex(q.v.). Fig.554shows a wooden porch also called apent-house porch, and Fig.555a plan of what is called acupolaporch, from the fact that, its ground being circular, it is surmounted by a dome.

Fig. 555. Ground-plan of a Cupola Porch.

Fig. 556. Porcupine. Device of Louis XII.

Porcupine(Fr.porc epic). Hereditary device of the Valois family. The “Order of the Porcupine” was instituted in 1397 by Louis, Duke of Orleans, and abolished by Louis XII., who retained the badge (Fig.556), and had his cannon marked with a porcupine. In numismatics his golden “écus au porc epic” are rare and highly valued.

Porcupine-wood.The ornamental wood of a palm, the markings of which in the horizontal section resemble porcupine quills.

Porphyry.A hard stone much used in Egyptian sculpture, and for sarcophagi. It was of a fine red colour, passing into purple and green, and susceptible of a fine polish. (See alsoRosso Antico.)

Porporino, It. A yellow powder substituted for gold by mediæval artists. It was compounded of quicksilver, sulphur, and tin.

Fig. 557. Porta (Gate of Perusium).

Porta, R. This term denotes the gate of a city, a large gate in any enclosure, in contradistinction toJanuaandOstium(q.v.), which denote the doors of a building. Fig.557shows the ancient gate of Perugia.

Portcullis.A kind of iron grating, forming an outer door, which slided up and down perpendicularly in the grooves of a bay. It was suspended by a chain, which could instantly be lowered, as occasion required, in order to prevent ingress and cut off all communication. By the Greeks and Romans they were calledportæ cataractæ, and in the Middle Ages they were known as Saracenic gates.

Fig. 558. Portcullis.

Portcullis, Her. A defence for a gateway, borne as a badge by the Houses of Beaufort and Tudor. Motto, “Altera securitas.” (Fig.558.)

Porticus,Portico, R. (porta). A long colonnade serving as a covered promenade. In an amphitheatre, the covered gallery at the top which was appropriated to women or slaves. A wooden gallery covered over with a roof, but in some cases entirely open on the side of the country. (SeeTemplum.)

Portisculus, R. A director’s staff wielded on board ship by the officer who gave the time to the rowers to make them row in unison.

Portrait Painting.The earliest portrait on record is that of Polygnotus, painted by himself,B.C.400. Giotto is said to have been the earliest successful portrait painter of modern times. The different sizes of portraits are the following:—

Portula.A wicket made in a large gate in order to give admittance into a city without opening theportaor large gate.

Posnett, O. E. A little pot.

Postergale, Chr. ADorsal(q.v.).

Postern(posterna, a back door). A private gate in a rampart, either upon the platform or at the angle of a curtain, and opening into the ditches, whence it was possible to pass by thepas-de-souris, without being seen by the besiegers, into the covered way and the glacis.

Posticum, R. (Gr.παραθύρα). (1) A back door to a Roman house. (2) In Architecture, the part of a building opposite to the façade; the posterior façade.

Postis, R. The jamb of a door, supporting the lintel orlimen superius.

Postscenium, R. The part of a Roman theatre behind the stage, in which the actors dressed, and the appointments and machines were kept.

Potichomanie.A process of ornamenting glass with coloured designs on paper, in imitation of painted porcelain.

Potter’s Clay, found in Dorsetshire and Devonshire, is used for modelling and for pottery; mixed with linseed oil, it is used as agroundin painting.

Pottery(Fayence,Terraglia), as distinct from porcelain, is formed of potter’s clay mixed with marl of argillaceous and calcareous nature, and sand, variously proportioned, and may be classed under two divisions:Soft(Fayence à pâte tendre), andHard(Fayence à pâte dure), according to the nature of the composition or the degree of heat under which it has been fired in the kiln. What is known generally in England asearthenwareis soft, whilestone-ware,Queen’s ware, &c., are hard. The characteristics of the soft wares are a paste or body which may be scratched with a knife or file, and fusibility generally at the heat of a porcelain furnace. These soft wares may be again divided into four subdivisions:unglazed,lustrous,glazed, orenamelled. Among the three first of these subdivisions may be arranged almost all the ancient pottery of Egypt, Greece, Etruria, and Rome; as also the larger portion of that in general use among all nations during mediæval and modern times. Theglazed waresmay be again divided intosiliciousorglass-glazed wares, andplumbeousorlead-glazed. In these subdivisions the foundation is in all cases the same. The mixed clay or “paste” or “body” is formed by the hand or on the wheel, or impressed into moulds; then slowly dried and baked in a furnace or stove, after which, on cooling, it is in a state to receive the glaze. This is prepared by fusing sand or other silicious material with potash or soda to form a translucent glass, the composition of the glaze upon vitreous orglass-glazedwares. The addition of oxide of lead constitutes the glaze ofplumbeouswares; and the further addition of the oxide of tin produces an enamel of an opaque white of great purity, which is the characteristic glazing ofstanniferousortin-glazed wares. Most of the principal seats of the manufacture of pottery, and a description of the objects manufactured, and methods used in the manufacture, will be found mentioned under their respective headings.

Poulaines, Fr. Long-toed boots and shoes, introduced in 1384. (SeeCracowes.)

Pounce-paper.A kind of transparent tracing-paper, free from grease, &c.; made in Carlsruhe.

Pounced.In Engraving,dottedall over.

Pouncet-box, O. E. A perfume box, carved with open work. (SeePomander.)

Pouranamas, Hind. Very ancient books of India, which give a part of Hindoo history from the beginning of the Hindoo monarchy, or the time of the king Ellou or Ella.

Fig. 559. Pourpoint. Worn by a Venetian youth of the 16th century.

Pourpoint, Fr. A quilted doublet, worn in the 14th and 15th centuries. The illustration represents a Venetian gallant of the 16th century. (SeeGambeson.)

Powder-blueis pulverized pipe-clay, a good “pounce” for transferring designs upon linen for embroidery.

Powdered, Her. (SeeSémé.)

Powers, Chr. Guardian angels, usually represented bearing a staff. (SeeAngels.)

Præcinctio, E. (præcingo, to gird). A lobby running quite round the circle formed by thecaveæin the interior of a theatre or amphitheatre; the same term is also used to denote the passages between the tiers of seats comprised within eachmænianum. According to their importance, theatres and amphitheatres were divided into two, three, and sometimes four præcinctiones.

Præfericulum, R. A metal basin without handles, used for holding sacred utensils.

Præficæ, R. Women hired as mourners at the funerals of wealthy persons.

Fig. 560. Præfurnium hypocaust.

Præfurnium, R. The mouth of a furnace placed beneath ahypocausisor heating-stove in a set of baths. Fig.560shows thepræfurniumof a hypocausis which was drawn upon the walls of alaconicumsituated near the church of St. Cecilia at Rome. (SeeHypocausis.)

Fig. 561. Roman maiden wearing thetoga prætexta.

Prætexta, R. ATogawith a broad purple border. It was introduced by the Etruscans, and was the costume assigned to priests and magistrates, to boys before they came of age, and to women before their marriage. (SeeToga.) (Fig.561.)

Prætorium, R. The tent of the commander-in-chief of the army; it was so called because in the earliest times of Rome the consul who commanded the army bore the title ofprætor. The residence of a governor of a province was also calledprætorium, and finally the name was given to any large house or palace.

Prandium, R. (prandeo, to breakfast). The midday meal, which came between breakfast (jentaculum) and dinner (cœna).

Prastura.(SeeUpapitha.)

Préa-koul, Hind. An upright stone or sacred boundary among the Khmers.

Préasat, Hind. The tower of the Khmers;préasat-stupaïmeans little tower;préasat-phradamrey, the elephant tower of the king.

Precarium, Chr. A temporary benefice granted to a layman by the Church; the holder of the benefice was, however, bound to pay the Church certain dues.

Predella, It. A ledge behind the altar of a church on which the altar-piece was placed, containing small pictures, of similar subjects to the altar-piece.

Prefericulum, R. A shallow metal bowl used in sacrifices for carrying the sacred vessels. Its shape resembled thepatera.

Premier Coup.(SeePrima Painting.)

Pre-Raphaelites.A modern school of painters, who, throwing aside all conventional laws and traditions in art, direct their study to the forms and colours of Nature.

Presentoir, Fr. An épergne or table-stand for flowers; made very shallow, on a tall and richly-decorated stem. A favourite subject of the goldsmith’s art in the 16th century.

Pressed Glass.Glass pressed into a mould by a machine; differing fromblown glass.

Presto, It. In Music, quickly.

Priapeia, R. (πριάπεια). Festivals in honour of Priapus; they were held chiefly at Lampsacus.

Pricket.A young stag of two years, when his horns begin to sprout.

Prie-Dieu.A kneeling-desk for prayers.

Prima Painting(in French,peinture au premier coup) is a modern style directed to the avoidance of extreme finish, described in a work byHundertpfund, “The Art of Painting restored to its Simplest and Surest Principles.”

Primary Colours.Blue, yellow, and red, from which all colours are derived.

Primero, O. E. A game at cards mentioned by Shakspeare.

Primicerii, Chr. This term had several meanings, but it was usually employed to denote the first person inscribed on a list, because the tablet on which the names were written was covered with wax; whenceprimicerius(fromcera, wax), the first upon the wax. In cathedral churches the primicerius presided over the choir, and regulated the order and method of the ceremonies.

Priming.(SeeGrounds.)

Prince’s MetalorPrince Rupert’s Metal. An alloy of 72 parts of copper and 28 parts of zinc, which has a resemblance to gold.

PrincedomsorPrincipalities, Chr. An order ofThronesof angels; usually represented in complete armour, carrying pennons. (See Fig.24.)

Principes, R. A body of heavy-armed foot-soldiers; thus named, because, in the order of battle, they were placed first.

Principia, R. (princeps, chief, foremost). The headquarters in a Roman camp, comprising not only the tents of the general and the superior officers, but also an open space in which justice was administered and sacrifices offered to the gods; it was in the same open space that all the standards of the legion were set up.

Priory, Chr. A monastery attached, as a rule, to an abbey; there were also, however, priories which formed thehead of an order. In the order of Malta eachtonguecomprehended several great priories.

Fig. 562. Prismatic mouldings.

Prismatic(mouldings). A kind of moulding resembling the facets of a prism (Fig.562), which is sometimes met with in archivolts of the Romano-Byzantine period. The same term is likewise applied to mouldings characteristic of the flamboyant style, which assume, especially in their base, the form of prisms.

Proaron, Gr. and R. (πρόαρον;ἀρύω, to draw water). A vessel of a flattened spheroid form, with two handles.

Proaulium, R. (pro, in front of). The vestibule of any building.

Prochous, Gr. (πρόχοος, i. e. thing for pouring out). A small jug for pouring liquid into a cask; it had a narrow neck, a very large handle, and a pointed mouth.

Procœton, Gr. and R. (προ-κοιτών). An antechamber or room preceding other rooms or chambers.

Prodd, O. E. A light cross-bow, used by ladies,temp.Elizabeth.

Prodomos, Arch. (πρό-δομος). The façade of a temple or building, and sometimes the porch of a church.

Profile.The side view of the human face. It is observed by Fairholt that “a face which, seen directly in front, is attractive by its rounded outline, blooming colour, and lovely smile, is often divested of its charms when seen in profile, and strikes only as far as it has anintellectualexpression. Only where great symmetry exists, connected with a preponderance of the intellectual over the sensual, will a profile appear finer than the front face.”

Projectura, R. The beaver of a helmet.

Proletarii, R. The proletariate, or Roman citizens of the lowest class of the people, so called because they contributed nothing to the resources of the republic except by their offspring (proles); being, as they were, too poor to pay taxes.

Prom, Hind. An ornamented carpet in Khmer art.

Prometheia.An Athenian festival in honour of Prometheus, with a torch-race (lampadephoria).

Promulsis.The first course at a Roman dinner, arranged to stimulate the appetite; eggs were a principal ingredient, whence the proverbab ovo usque ad mala(from first to last).

Pronaos, R. (πρό-ναος). A portico situated in front of a temple; it was open on all sides, and surrounded only by columns, which, in front, supported not only the entablature, but the pediment (fastigium).

Proper, Her. Said of a thing exhibited in its natural, or proper, colour.

Proplasma, Gr. and R. (πρό-πλασμα). A rough model or embodiment of the sculptor’s first idea, executed by him in clay.

Propnigeum, Gr. and R. The mouth of the furnace of theHypocausis(q.v.).

Propylæa, Gr. The open court at the entrance to a sacred enclosure; e. g. an Egyptian temple, or especially the Acropolis at Athens.

Prora, R. (πρῷρα). The prow or fore-part of a ship, whenceproreta, a man who stood at the ship’s head;proreuswas a term also used. (SeeAcrostolium.)

Proscenium, R. (προ-σκήνιον). The stage in a Greek or Roman theatre; it included the whole platform comprised between theorchestraand the wall of the stage; the term was also used sometimes to denote the wall of the stage itself.

Proscenium, Mod. The ornamental frame on which the curtain hangs.

Prostylos, Gr. (πρό-στυλος). A building or temple which has a porch supported by a row of columns.

Proteleia, Gr. (προ-τέλεια). Sacrifices which were offered to Diana, Juno, the Graces, and Venus prior to the celebration of a marriage.

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