Fig. 637. Stylobates.Stylobate, Arch. A pedestal supporting a row of columns; Figs. 635 to 637 represent three richly-decorated stylobates found in the baths and other Roman ruins at Nismes. (SeePedestal,Stereobate.)
Fig. 637. Stylobates.
Fig. 637. Stylobates.
Fig. 637. Stylobates.
Stylobate, Arch. A pedestal supporting a row of columns; Figs. 635 to 637 represent three richly-decorated stylobates found in the baths and other Roman ruins at Nismes. (SeePedestal,Stereobate.)
Stylus, R. (Gr.στῦλος). A pointed instrument with which the Romans wrote on their waxed tablets. (SeeStilus.)
Subarmale,Subermale, R. A garment worn by soldiers underneath their armour; it formed the tunic of the legionaries, and representations of it are very frequently met with on the bas-reliefs of monumental columns and triumphal arches.
Subjugium, R. Curved pieces of wood placed at each end of a yoke,underneathit; whence their name.
Sublicius, R. (sublica, a pile). Any wooden structure supported on piles. (SeePons.)
Subligaculum,Subligar, R. (subligo, to tie below). A cloth worn by acrobats, drawn between the legs and made fast to the girdle.
Subsecus, R. A tenon, in carpentry; that is, the tongue or wedge which fits into a mortise.
Subsellium, R. (i. e. lower than asella). A movable bench without a back, which was used in large assemblies. In a theatre or circus the same term was applied to the circular rows of seats in thecavea.
Subsericum.Partly, not all, silk; opposed toholosericum.
Substructio, R. (substruo, to build underneath). Any work of solid masonry, such as a foundation wall, abutment walls, &c. (SeeSuspensura.)
Subtrefoiled, Arch. Decorated with foils placed underneath; a term applied to what are calledtrefoil-headedarches.
Subucula, R. (sub, andduo, to put on). Under-garments of wool which the Romans wore next the skin, underneath the tunic.
Suburbanum, R. A villa in the suburbs of Rome.
Succinctus, R. (succingo, to gird beneath). Wearing a girdle round the waist above the tunic; applied to a person prepared for active exertion.
Sucula, R. A capstan.
Sudarium, Chr. A name of the miraculous portrait of our Lord, impressed on the cloth presented to Him by St. Veronica on the way to the Crucifixion. (SeeStole,Vera Icon.) A representation of this legendary portrait is given in Albert Dürer’s “Little Passion.”
Sudatorium, R. (sudor, sweat). The hot room in a Roman bath. (SeeCaldarium.)
Sud’ha, Hind. A temple of the Khmers or ancient inhabitants of Cambodgia, built of one unmixed material, and thence calledpure(sud’ha).
Suffibulum, R. A large square piece of white cloth worn by vestals and priests during the discharge of their functions.
Fig. 638. Suggestus.
Fig. 638. Suggestus.
Fig. 638. Suggestus.
Suggestus, R. (subandgero, to heap up). (1) A stage or platform from which an orator addressed a crowd. TheRostraat Rome was a celebratedsuggestus. (2) In a camp thesuggestuswas formed of stones and clods of turf, or constructed of wood-work, from which the general harangued the troops. (3) The raised seat from which the Emperor saw the games.
Suile, R. A stable for pigs; among the Romans a building of considerable size, containing a number of separate sties (haræ).
Sulphate of Barytes.(SeeBarytes.)
Sulphate of Zinc, or white vitriol, is used as adryer.
Sulphurs.Impressions taken by the goldsmiths of the 16th century from the engravings executed on plates, paxes, &c.; and which they obtained by spreading a layer of melted sulphur on the face of the plate, producing a cast inreliefof the lines engraved. Some few of these proofs exist in the British and continental museums, and are known as “sulphurs.” They are amongst the rarest specimens connected with the art of engraving. (Fairholt.)
Fig. 639. Device of Louis XIV.
Fig. 639. Device of Louis XIV.
Fig. 639. Device of Louis XIV.
Sun, Her. When represented shining and surrounded by rays, he has a representation of a human face on his disc, and is blazoned “In splendour,” or “In glory;” when “eclipsed” the representation is the same, but tinctured sable.
Sundials.The sun-dial of Ahaz is mentioned by Isaiah, 713B.C.Sundials with appropriate mottoes have been at all times fashionable. Mrs. Palliser gives a long selection of such mottoes: e.g.:—
Nulla hora sine linea, “No hour without a line.” (Nec momentum sine linea, was Cardinal Richelieu’s motto.)Pereunt et imputantur—“They pass and are imputed”—(Martial).Of the passing hour,Dubia omnibus, ultima multis—(“Uncertain to all, the last to many”); or,suprema hæc multis forsitan tibi—(“The last to many, perhaps to thee”). The old sun-dial at the Palais de Justice in Paris is inscribed, in letters of gold,Sacra Themis mores, ut pendula dirigit horas—(“Holy Justice guides manners, as this dial does the hours”). The largest number areallusions to Death, as:
Io vado e vengo ogni giorno. Ma tu andrai senza ritorno—(“I go and come daily, but thou shalt go and never return.”) And on a sun-dial at Bourges is the following:
“La vie est comme l’hombre,Insensible en son cours.On la croit immobile:Elle s’avance toujours.”
“La vie est comme l’hombre,Insensible en son cours.On la croit immobile:Elle s’avance toujours.”
“La vie est comme l’hombre,Insensible en son cours.On la croit immobile:Elle s’avance toujours.”
“La vie est comme l’hombre,
Insensible en son cours.
On la croit immobile:
Elle s’avance toujours.”
More cheerful mottoes are found from Horace, as:Carpe diem. Horas non numero nisi serenas(at Venice), &c.
(ConsultMrs. Alfred Gatty, “Book of Sundials.”)
Super-altar, Chr. A small portable altar.
Superaria.(SeeEpendytes.)
Supercilium, R. (lit. eye-brow). (SeeLimen Superius.)
Superindum.(SeeEpendytes.)
Superpellicum, Chr. A surplice.
Suppedaneum.A synonym forScabellumandScamnum(q.v.).
Supplicatio, R. (supplico, to kneel down). The act of praying when kneeling; opposed toprecatio, a prayer uttered standing. Solemn thanksgivings offered to the gods in their temples.
Supporter, Her. A figure that stands by a shield of arms, as if supporting or guarding it. Supporters came into use during the 14th century. (See Fig.24.)
Fig. 640. Surahé or Wine bottle. Persian Porcelain.
Fig. 640. Surahé or Wine bottle. Persian Porcelain.
Fig. 640. Surahé or Wine bottle. Persian Porcelain.
Surahé, Pers. A Persian wine bottle. The illustration represents a beautiful specimen of hard porcelain decorated in patterns, of Chinese character, executed under the glaze with cobalt. A legend on the medallions contains the wordsDeh surahé, “Give me the bottle.” (Fig.640.)
Surbase, Arch. The shaft of aPedestal.
Surcoat.Any garment worn over armour; more especially the long flowing garment worn by knights until 1325. (See Fig.463.)
Surface-rib, Arch. The rib of a groined vaulting.
Surinda, Hind. A stringed instrument played with a bow.
Surod, Hind. A kind of guitar, sounded with a plectrum.
Surplice, Chr. The Protestantalb. SeeStevens, in a note toAll’s Well that Ends Well, Act i., scene 3, for notices of the Puritan aversion to this article of clerical costume.
Fig. 641. Suspensura, showing the pillars supporting the floor of a bath-room.
Fig. 641. Suspensura, showing the pillars supporting the floor of a bath-room.
Fig. 641. Suspensura, showing the pillars supporting the floor of a bath-room.
Suspensura, R. In a general sense this term denotes anything that is supported,suspendedabove arcades, columns, or pillars, and more especially the flooring of a bath-room, when it is supported by small low pillars. Fig.391shows the flooring of a bath-room, and Fig.641the pillars supporting the suspensura. (SeeHypocaust.)
Svastika, Hind. A kind of Greek cross, each branch of which ends in a hook. This cross has a sacred character, and is met with on a great variety of objects. Its origin dates back to the bronze age, and it is represented on the weapons of that period. (SeeFylfot.)
Swallow.In Christian symbolism, the emblem of pride and of conversion.
Swallow-tail.(SeeDove-tail.)
Swan, Her. When blazoned “proper”—white with red beak and legs—it is the badge of the Bohuns, Staffords, and some other families.
Swathbondes, O. E. Swaddling clothes (mentioned by Shakspeare).
Swine’s Feather, O. E. A kind of bayonet about six inches long, affixed to a musket-rest and projected by the action of a spring; 17th century.
Sword.(SeeGladius.)
Sword, in Christian art, is a symbol of martyrdom; it is also the attribute of martyrs who were soldiers. In Heraldry, when borne as a charge, it is straight in the blade, pointed, and with a cross-guard. The custom of swearing on the sword, the hilt of which took the shape of a cross, or had crosses engraved on it, is mentioned in very ancient history. (Cf.Hamlet.)
Sympathetic Inks.Inks of which the marks are invisible until the moisture is absorbed by the application of heat. (SeeCobalt.)
Symposium, Gr. A drinking party, distinguished fromdeipnon, a feast. A very common subject of representations on ancient vases.
SyndonorSindon. A better kind ofcendal(q.v.)
Synoikia, Gr. (1) Athenian festivals held in honour of Athena in the month Hecatombeion (July-August). Their object was to commemorate the union of the government of all the towns of Attica in Athens. (2) A lodging-house adapted to hold several families (Latin,insula), for the convenience of foreigners and others who by Athenian law were prohibited from acquiring house property of their own.
SynthesisorSynthesina, Gr. and R. (σύν-θεσις). One of thevestes cœnatoriæwhich the master of the house, the Amphitryon, provided for his guests. The parable of the “Wedding Garment” has reference to this practice. It was a kind of tunic worn over the other garments, and during the Saturnalia by all classes alike. It was usually dyed some colour, and wasnotwhite like the toga.
Sypirs, O. E. Cloth of Cyprus.
Syrinx(O. E. 9th and 10th cent.). An instrument resembling Pandean pipes.
Syrinx, Gr. and R. (σῦριγξ). The pastoral pipe invented by Pan; it was called by the poetsarundoandfistula. It was formed of seven hollow reeds of regulated lengths adjusted to form an octave.
Syrma, Gr. (σύρω, to sweep). A robe with a train worn on the stage by those actors who had to represent the parts of gods or heroes. Hence the word is poetically used for tragedy.
Systyle, Gr. and R. (σύστυλος). An arrangement in architecture, the intercolumniation of which is of the width of two diameters of the shaft, measured at its lower part, just above theapophyge; the distance between theplinthsbeing exactly equal to the diameter of the plinths, as in the Parthenon at Athens.