N.

Nablia,Nablum. A stringed musical instrument; a kind ofcitharain the shape of a semicircle.

Nacre, Fr. Mother-of-pearl, the iridescent inner lining of the pearl mussel or oyster.

Nacreous Shells.Iridescent shells. Several kinds are used for manufactures, as some species ofMeleagrina,Turbo,Nautili, &c.

Nadir(Arab.nadhir, opposite). The part of the heavens directly under our feet; opposite to theZenith.

Nænia.(SeeNenia.)

Naga, Malay. Jars with the figure of a dragon traced on them.

Naga Architecture(Hind.naga, a poisonous snake). Temples dedicated to the worship of the seven-headed snakes are found in Cashmere, remarkable for their identity of style with the Grecian Doric, unlike anything found in any other part of India. [ConsultFergusson,History of Architecture, ii. 703–732.]

Nagara.A Hindoo name for a music-gallery in front of the Jain temples.

Nahinna.A Persian manufacture of majolica. The Comte de Rochechouart says that the ancient faience of Persia is as admirable as the modern is detestable, though it retains a degree of oriental elegance.

Naiad.A water-nymph.

Nail.In cloth measure, 2¼ inches.

Nail-head Moulding, Arch. An ornament formed by a series of projections resembling round or angularnail-heads.

Nainsook, Hind. A thick sort of jaconet muslin.

Naipes, Sp. Playing-cards. The word is supposed to be derived from the initials of Nicolao Pepin, the inventor. (Diccionario de la Lengua Castellana.) Hence the Italiannaibi.

Naked Flooring, Arch. The timber-work which supports a floor.

Namby-pamby.Affectedly pretty. The term originated in criticism of an English poet of the 17th century—Ambrose Phillips.

Nancy Biscuit.A peculiar porcelain made at Nancy. The faïencerie was established in 1774 by Nicolas Lelong.

Nankeen.A buff-coloured cotton cloth, introduced from the province of Nankin, in China.

Nân-mo, Chinese. A beautiful wood, resembling cedar, used for temples, palaces, and houses of state.

Nantes.Manufactories of white faience were established here in 1588 and 1625; and that of Le Roy de Montilliée and others in the 18th century.

Naology.The science of temples. (SeeDudley’s Naology, or a Treatise on the Origin, Progress, and Symbolical Import of the Sacred Structures of the World.)

Naos, Gr. The interior apartment of a Greek temple; thecellaof the Roman temple.

Napery.A general term for made-up linen cloth.

Naphthar, Heb. (lit.thick water). The name given by Nehemiah to the substance that they found in the pit where the sacred fire of the temple had been hidden during the Captivity. This “thick water, which” (the legend says) “being poured over the sacrifice and the wood, was kindled by the great heat of the sun and then burnt with an exceedingly bright and clear flame,” was the naphtha of modern commerce.

Napiform(Lat.napus, a turnip). Turnip-shaped.

Napkin(littlenape). A pocket-handkerchief.

“Your napkin is too little.” (Othello.)

Napkin Pattern.A decorative ornament very common in German wood-carving of the 15th and 16th centuries. (SeeLinen-Scroll.)

Naples Majolicaswere already celebrated early in the 16th century. M. Jacquemart describes some vases of colossal size, evidently constructed for “la grande décoration,” being painted on only one face; handles in the form of caryatids add to the majestic appearance of these vases; the subjects are scriptural, executed in blue camayeu picked out in black; the design is free, elegant though rather straggling, and the touch is bold and spirited.

Naples Yellow(It.giallolino). A compound of the oxides of lead and antimony, having a rich, opaque, golden hue. As a pigment for oil painting and for porcelain and enamel, it is now superseded by chromate of lead. As a water-colour pigment it is liable to blacken upon exposure to damp or bad air.

Napron.An apron used by mediæval masons.Limaswas another kind of apron worn by them.

Nard(Lat.nardus). Ointment prepared from the spikenard shrub.

Nares, Lat. (the nostrils). (1) The perforations in the register-table of an organ, which admit air to the openings of the pipes. (2) The issue of a conduit.

Fig. 477. Narghilly—Persian.

NargiléorNarghilly, Persian. A tobacco-pipe with an arrangement for passing the smoke through water. The illustration is the bowl of a Persian pipe of this description, in Chinese porcelain. (Fig.477.)

Nariform(Lat.naris, the nostril). Nose-shaped.

Narthex, Chr. The vestibule of a church; sometimes within the church, sometimes without, but always further from the altar than the part where the “faithful” were assembled. Hence it was a place for the catechumens. The narthex communicated with thenaveby the “beautiful gates,” and with the outside by the “great gates.” In monastic churches the narthex was the place for the general public.

Nasal, O. E. The bar of a helmet which protected the nose.

Nask, Hind. Aquoin, or coin-stone.

Natalitii Ludi, R. Games in the circus in honour of an emperor’s birthday.

Natatorium.A cold swimming-pool in the baths. That at Pompeii is of white marble twelve feet ten inches in diameter, and about three feet deep, with three marble steps, and a seat round it raised about ten inches from the bottom. There is a platform orambulatoryround the bath, also of marble. (SeeSigma.) The ceiling is vaulted, with a window in the centre. (SeeBaptisterium.)

Natatorium, Chr. A baptismal font; Gr.κολυμβήθρα(piscina probata).

Natinz.A Persian manufacture of majolica. (SeeNahinna.)

Nativity.While the Adoration of the Magi is one of the commonest subjects of early Christian art, the Nativity is one of the rarest. It is not found in any catacomb frescoes, or the mosaics of any basilicas or churches. The only examples are sculptural, and this on ivories, gems, &c. On these generally the Child is seen wrapped in swaddling clothes as the central object, the star appears above, the Virgin on a rude couch, and sometimes St. Joseph rapt in thought, his head resting on his hand; the ox and the ass appear behind, and shepherds with curved staves stand by adoring.

Natural.In Music, a character marked ♮ used to correct the power of a previoussharporflat. Anatural scaleis a scale written without sharps or flats.

Naturalisti, It. Artists who work on the principle of a close adherence to the forms and colours actually combined in natural objects. The epithet was particularly applied as a term of reproach to the founders of the modern Dutch school of painting. (SeeIdeal.)

Fig. 478. Naumachia, from a coin of Domitian.

Naumachia(ναῦς, a ship, andμάχη, a battle). (1) A spectacle representing a sea-fight, a subject frequently represented on coins and sculptures. (2) A building erected for such shows. Napoleon I. had a theatre at Milan filled with water for a sea-fight.

Fig. 479. Nautilus. Device of the Affidati Academy.

Nautilus.A shell-fish that sails on the surface of the sea in its shell. Its spiral univalve shell is a common motive in ornamental design.

“Learn of the little nautilus to sail,Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.”(Pope.)

“Learn of the little nautilus to sail,

Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.”

(Pope.)

The illustration is the device of the Affidati, an Italian literary Academy, with the motto “Safe above and below.”

Fig. 480. Naval crown.

Navalis Corona.(SeeCorona Navalis.) (Fig.480.)

Nave, Arch. (so called from its vaulted roof resembling in shape an inverted ship (navis); or fromnave, the centre of anything). The middle part or body of a church between the aisles, extending from thechoirto the principal entrance. The Germans call this part of a church “Schiff.”

Navette,Navicula, Chr. The vessel, in the shape of a boat, in which incense is placed for the supply of the thurible.

Navicella, Chr. A celebrated mosaic, at Rome, of a ship tossed by storms and assailed by demons; emblematic of the Church.

Neanderthal.A valley near Dusseldorf, in which bones and skulls were found of men asserted to have beenpræadamite.

Neat-house, O. E. A cattle-shed.

Nebris, Gr. (fromνεβρὸς, a fawn). A fawn’s skin, worn originally by hunters; an attribute of Dionysus, and assumed by his votaries. It is represented in ancient art as worn not only by male and femalebacchanals, but also by Pans and Satyrs. It was commonly put on in the same manner as theægis, or goat’s skin, by tying the two fore-legs over the right shoulder, so as to allow the body of the skin to cover the left side of the wearer.

Nebular(Lat.nebula, a mist). Belonging to the nebulæ, or clusters of stars only visible as a light, gauzy appearance or mist in the skies.

Fig. 481. Nebule Moulding.

Nebule Moulding.A decorated moulding of Norman architecture, so called from the edge forming an undulating or waving line. (See Fig.481.)

Fig. 482. Nebulée.

Nebulée, Her. A dividing and border line, as represented in Fig.482.

Nebulous.Cloudy or hazy.

Nebuly, Her. Ornamented with light wavy lines.

Neck, Arch. The plain part at the bottom of a Roman Doric or other capital, between the mouldings and the top of the shaft. (SeeHypotrachelium.)

Fig. 483. Necklace. Costume of a Roman lady of the 16th century.

Necklaces.An ornament common to all ages and nations. The ancientEgyptiansof both sexes wore them of gold or beads, generally with a large drop or figure in the centre, and strung of the various religious emblems; amethysts, pearls, gold or cornelian bottles, imitations of fish, shell, and leaves; finally, an infinite variety of devices. (SeeWilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians, ii. 343.) An illustration of a common form ofGreeknecklaces is given underCrotalium. TheBritishwomen of the earliest ages wore necklaces of jet, ivory, and amber, beads, shells, &c., besides gold links hooked together. (See alsoMonile,Torque.) The Anglo-Norman ladies do not appear to have worn necklaces, and no mediæval examples are found earlier than the 15th century. (See Figs. 303, 304, 483.)

Neck-mouldings, Arch. The mouldings at the bottom of the capital, in Gothic architecture.

Necrodeipnon, Gr. A feast after a funeral; a common subject on tombs. A horse’s head is usually placed in one corner of the representation, as an emblem of death as a journey.

Necrologium, Chr. A book kept in religious houses for the names of the founders and benefactors to be mentioned in the prayers.

Necromancy(Gr.νεκρὸς, the dead, andμαντεία, prophecy). Calling up the spirits of the dead for divination; hence generally applied to conjuring. Necromancy was practised in two ways: by inspection of the entrails, and by invoking the dead.

Necropolis, Gr. A city of the dead; a cemetery.

Nectar, Gr. The drink of the gods.

Necysia, Gr. Offerings of garlands of flowers and other objects made at the tombs of deceased relatives on the anniversary of the day of death, or, as some suppose, on their birthdays. (SeeGenesia.)

Needfire, or Fire of St. John Baptist (Old Germ.Nodfyr, Niedfyr). A superstitious practice of the ancients, derived from a pagan source, of celebrating the birthday of St. John Baptist at the midsummer solstice (St. John’s Eve) by lighting fires, carrying about firebrands, or rolling a burning wheel. The practice is one of many examples of the caution with which the evangelizing ecclesiastics of the Middle Ages refrained from abruptly disturbing the deeply-rooted superstitions of the ancient Germans. [ConsultGrimm’s German Mythology;Brand,Popular Antiquities.]

Needle, Arch. Anobelisk(q.v.)

Fig. 484. Needle Point Lace.

Needle Point in relief.To Venice belongs the invention of the two most perfect productions of the needle—“Point coupé,” and Venetian point in relief. Various other wonderful products of the needle are included under the general name of Venetian point, all of exquisite workmanship. The needle point in relief is made by means of cotton placed as thick as may be required to raise the pattern; an infinity of beautiful stitches are introduced into the flowers, which are surrounded by a pearl of geometric regularity. The engraving is an exquisite specimen of the fine raised needle point.

NeforShip. A costly and curious piece of plate for the table, used as an épergne in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century they were perfect models of actual ships, with masts, yards, shrouds, and sailors climbing in the rigging. They were filled with sweetmeats, and were sometimes put on wheels; and there is one at Emden in Hanover from the hull of which wine was drunk.

Negative.In Photography, a picture on glass having the lights and shadows reversed, from whichpositivesmay be printed.

Neginoth, Heb. A general term for stringed musical instruments.

Nehiloth, Heb. (rootchalal, to perforate). A general term for perforated wind instruments of music.

Nelumbo, Chinese. A fruit-tree closely connected with the Buddhist legends, and from its symbolical significance and adaptability to ornamentation, commonly represented on porcelain. (SeeJacquemart,Hist. de la Céramique.)

Nenia, R. The funeral song which the hired mourners sang at a Roman funeral, in praise of the deceased.Lessuswas their wailing or cry of lamentation.

Nenuphar(It.nenufar). The great white water-lily of Europe.

Neocori, Gr. and R. (1) Originally sweepers of the temple. (2) In early times applied to the priests in charge of temples. (3) Under the Roman emperors, to all Asiatic cities which had temples dedicated to an emperor; it occurs in this sense (Νεωκόρος) on the coins of Ephesus, Smyrna, and other cities.

Neoteric, Gr. Of recent origin; modern.

Nepaul Paper.A strong unsized paper, made in Nepaul from the pulverized bark of theDaphne papyracea. Sheets of this paper are sometimes made many yards square.

Nephrite.A mineral. (SeeJade.)

Neptunalia.Festivals celebrated at Rome on the 23rd of July, in honour of Neptune. The people built huts of branches and foliage about the streets.

Nereids, Gr. Nymphs of the sea, who were the constant attendants of Neptune.

Nero Antico, It. Antique marble of Egyptian and other ancient statuary, of an intense black, probably the result of ages of exposure, as no marble of the same intensity of blackness is found in any quarries. Marble, called alsonero antico, of two degrees of beauty, is quarried at Aubert (Girons) in France; and the mausoleum of Napoleon I. is constructed of this stone.

Nerved, Her. Having fibres, as leaves.

Nerves, Arch. The name is sometimes applied to the ribs and mouldings on the side surface of a vault.

Nessotrophium, Gr. A place in a Roman villa for breeding domestic ducks. It was surrounded by a high wall, on which was a high ledge with nests for the birds. A pond was dug in the middle of the enclosure, which was planted with shrubs.

Net Tracery, Arch. A simple and beautiful form of tracery of theDecoratedperiod, consisting of a series of loops resembling the meshes of a net, each loop being quatrefoiled. An example occurs in the east cloister of Westminster Abbey.

Nete, Gr. The shortest string, or highest note, of the seven-stringed lyre. (SeeMese.)

Netherstocks, O. E. The name given tostockingsin the 16th century, as continuations of the trunk-hose orupper stocks.

Nethinim, Heb. (fromnathan, to give). The servants of the priests and Levites about the Temple.

Nettle-cloth.A material made in Germany of very thick cotton, used as a substitute for japanned leather, on the peaks of caps, &c.

Network(filatorium opus). An ancient method of embroidery in England, used for church use or household furniture, by darning or working the subject upon linen netting. This method chiefly prevailed in the 14th century.

NeumaorPneuma(lit. a breath). A musical passage consisting of a number of notes sung to one syllable, or simply to a sound, as “āh” prolonged. “In hujus fineneumatizamus, id est jubilamus, dum finem protrahimus, et ei velut caudam accingimus.”

Neutral Colouris that resulting from a combination of blue, red, and yellow, resulting in grey.

Neutral Tint.An artificial pigment used in water-colours, composed of sepia, and indigo and other blues, with madder and other lakes; producing a scale ofneutral colours.

Neuvaines, Fr. Chr. Set prayers repeated fornineconsecutive days.

Nevers Faience.(SeeNivernais.)

Newcastle Glass.Acrownglass, held the best for windows from 1728 to 1830, when it was superseded by the improved make ofsheetglass. It was of an ash colour, subject to specks, streaks, and other blemishes, and frequently warped.

Newel, Arch. The upright central pillar supporting a geometrical staircase.

Newel Stairs, Arch. Where the steps arepinnedinto the wall, and there is no central pillar, the staircase is said to have an open or hollow newel. (SeeJoinery.)

Fig. 485.Nichein theSigmaof theCaldarium.

Niche, Arch. (It.nicchia, a sea-shell). A recess in a wall for a statue or bust. (Fig.485.)

Niche-vaulting, Arch. (Germ.Muschelgewölbe). A form of roofing in a semi-cupola design, common in the choirs of churches.

Nick,Old Nick, O. E. (Icelandicnikr; A.S.nicor, a water-god). The devil.

Nickel(contraction ofKupfernickel, or Nick’s copper, a term of derision given to it by the German miners). A white or reddish-white metal, from which nickel-silver is made. It is used to a large extent in the arts, being remarkable for the peculiar whiteness and silver-like lustre which it communicates to other metals when alloyed with them.

Nickel-silver.German silver, or white metal, a compound of tin and nickel.

Niello.The art of chasing out lines or forms, and inlaying a black composition callednigellumor niello, was probably well known to the Greeks. The Byzantines compounded for this purpose silver, lead, sulphur, and copper, and laid it on the silver in a powder; being then passed through the furnace, it melted and incorporated with the solid metal. A process producing a similar result of black tracery is practised in porcelain painting, and calledNiello-enamel.

Nigged Ashlar, O. E. Stone hewn with a pick or a pointed hammer, presenting a gnawed or nibbled surface: from the Swedishnagga, to gnaw.

Nilometer.A building erected,A. D.847, in the island of Rhoda, opposite to Cairo, for recording the annual rise of the Nile (i. e. 16 cubits). It is a slender octagonal shaft about 20 feet in height, with a Corinthian capital. (See theBuilder, xvii. 255.)

Nimbed, Her. Having the head encircled with animbus; usually represented by a circular line.

Nimbus(Lat.nimbus, a bright or black cloud). In Christian art, a disc or plate, commonly golden, sometimes red, blue, or green, or banded like a rainbow, placed vertically behind the heads of persons of special dignity or sanctity as a symbol of honour. After the 8th century living persons were, in Italy, distinguished by a square nimbus, which sometimes assumed the form of a scroll partly unrolled. The nimbus is of heathen origin. Virgil describes Juno as “nimbo succincta.” The heads of the statues of the gods, and the Roman emperors, after they began to claim divine honours, were decorated with a crown of rays. On medals of the Christian emperors also the nimbus is found, e.g. Constantine. In illuminated MSS. it is found on Pharaoh, Ahab, and other kings. It is a familiar symbol of dignity or power in the East, but does not appear as a Christian emblem before the 6th century. [See the articleNimbusin theDict. of Christian Antiquities.] (SeeAureole,Glory,Vesica Piscis, &c.)

Nincompoop, O. E. A corruption of the Latinnon compos; a fool.

Ninth.In Music, an interval consisting of an octave and a tone, or semitone.

Nisan, Heb. The month in the Jewish calendar answering to our April.

Nitrate of Silver, used in photography, is silver dissolved in nitric acid.

Nivarius(saccus), R. A bag of snow used as a wine-cooler. (SeeCollum Vinarium.)

Fig. 486. Jar. Nivernais Faience.

Nivernais Faience.An important branch of the ceramic art, established in 1608 at Nevers in France by the brothers Conrade. (Fig.486.)

Nobbled Stone, Arch. Stone roughly rounded at the quarry to diminish its bulk for transport.

Fig. 487. Noble of Henry V.

Noble.A gold coin worth 6s.8d.(Fig.487.)

Nodes.In Astronomy, the two points where the orbit of a heavenly body intersects the ecliptic.

Nodus, Arch. The Latin name for a key-stone, or abossin vaulting.

Nog, O. E. Timbers built into walls to strengthen the structure. They show on the plastering of houses in ornamental patterns. In Kent these houses are called “wood noggen” houses.

Noggin, O. E. “A mug or pot of earth with a large belly and narrower mouth.”

Nogging, Arch. Brickwork in panels carried between quarters.

Nome, Egyp. (νομός). A division or district of Egypt; there were forty-four in all. Each nome was placed under the protection of a special divinity, and ruled by a resident military governor.

Nonagon.A nine-sided polygon.

Nones.(1) R. One of the three divisions of the Roman month; the ninth days before theIdesof each month. (2) Chr. One of theHours of Prayer(q.v.).

Nonunia, O. E. A quick time in music, containing nine crotchets between the bars. (Halliwell.)

Fig. 488. Norman Architecture. The Round Church, Cambridge.

Norman Architecture.It was introduced into England at the Conquest,A. D.1066, and was superseded in the 12th century by the Early English style. Solid massive masonry, round-headed doors and windows, and low square central tower are (broadly) its characteristics. Among details the zigzag and the billet mouldings are the most noticeable. (Fig.488.)

Fig. 489. Incrusted Tile. Norman. Middle Ages.

Norman Pottery, Mediæval. The illustration is from a pavement of a church of the 12th century. “Nothing,” says Jacquemart, “is more curious than the study of these tiles, in which, with rudimentary means, art already begins to manifest its power. There, in a graceful chequer-work, the fleur-de-lis of France heightens at intervals a semé of trefoils and rosettes; scrolls of notched leaves combine in graceful borders; circles divided crossways receive in their sections stars and heraldic suns; here are armour-clad warriors, mounted upon horses richly caparisoned, &c.—all that picturesque fancy assisted by the resources of heraldry could invent to animate the cold compartments of the pavement, and give a meaning to the vast naves trodden every day by the Christian multitude.” (Histoire de l’Art Céramique.) (Fig.489.)

Norns,Nornas, Icelandic. The three Fates, whose names signify the Past, the Present, and the Future.

Norroy King at Arms.The third of the kings at arms, whose jurisdiction lies to the north of the Trent.

North Sideof a church “was regarded as the source of the cold wind, and the haunt of Satan. In some Cornish churches there is an entrance called the devil’s door, adjoining the font, which was only opened at the time of the renunciation made in baptism, for the escape of the fiend. In consequence of these superstitions, and its sunless aspect, the northern parts of churchyards are usually devoid of graves.” (Wallcott,Sacred Archæology.)

Norwegian Architecture.The timber-built churches are of great interest, and exhibit the wonderful durability of the Norwegian pine. They are generally in the form of a cross, with a tower in the centre ending in a cupola or spire, and with high pitched roofs. The ornamental details are elaborate and richly carved. The whole is often painted of a rich brown colour; sometimes of a bright red. Some of these churches date from the 11th or 12th century, and are an imitation in wood of the masonic style of the period.

Nosocomium, R. (νοσο-κομεῖον). A hospital.

Notatus, R. (noto, to mark). A slave branded with a hot iron.

Note of a Room.The vibrations of the air in a chamber or vaulted space produce a musicalnoteproper to the dimensions and other conditions of the place, which a good musical ear can recognize and identify. [SeeT. R. Smith’s Acoustics, pp. 83–87.]

Nottingham White.White lead. (SeeCarbonate of Lead.)

November(Lat.novem, nine). Theninthmonth of the Roman year, which began with March. It consisted originally of thirty days, but Julius Cæsar added one to it. Augustus, however, reduced it to its original number.

Fig. 490. Nowed. Device of the House of Savoy.

Nowed, Her. Coiled in a knot, as a snake. The illustration (Fig.490) is the ordinary device of the house of Savoy—the “true lovers’ knot;” with the Latin motto, “It binds but constrains not.”

Nowel, O. E. (Fr.noel, fromnatalis). A cry of joy; properly that at Christmas, of joy for the birth of the Saviour. It originally signified the feast of Christmas.

Nubilarium, R. A shed used as a barn; it was situated close to the threshing-floor.

Numella,Numellus, R. A kind of pillory for keeping men and animals in a fixed position. It was made use of in surgical operations, and as an instrument of torture.

Numismatics(numisma, coined money). The science of coins and medals. The earliest known coins were issued by the Greeks, probably in the 8th centuryB.C.(See the Article in theEncyclopædia Britan., 8th edition, from which reference can be taken to exhaustive treatises on the various ramifications of this science.)

Nummud, Persian. A carpet of felt much used in Persia.

Nun’s Thread.A kind of thread formerly made to a large extent in Paisley.

Nun’s Work(Fr.œuvre de nonnain). As early as the 14th century needlework was generally so described. Ancient lace is still so called in many parts of the country.

Nundinæ(novemdinæ; fromnovem, nine, anddies, days). Roman weeks; the nomenclature including the day before and that after the seven days. The name was given to the weeklymarket-days at Rome.

Nupta, R.(nubo, to wed). A married woman.

Fig. 491. Nuremberg Vase, enamelled in relief.

Nuremberg Vase.Fig.491is one of the gems, of the Renaissance period, issued from Nuremberg; a vase with portraits heightened with enamels and gold. (Jacquemart.)

Nurhag(SardinianNoraga). Primitive buildings in the island of Sardinia, of remote antiquity, having turrets as high as 30 to 60 feet, and containing stones of 100 cubic feet each in their structure. [SeeWaring,Stone Monuments.]

Nurspell.An old English game like trap, bat, and ball. It is played with akibble, anur, and aspell. When the end of thespellis struck with thekibble, thenurrises into the air, &c.

Nut.In Christian symbolism, an emblem of the Divinity of Christ hidden in His manhood. St. Augustine has a long treatise on the symbolism of the husk, shell, and kernel of the nut. (Serm. de temp. Dominic. ante Nativ.)

Nut Oil.This medium for colour-grinding is derived from the walnut; as a vehicle it is preferred to linseed oil, and is the quickest dryer. (SeeMediums,Oils.)

Nutmeg Ornament, Arch. A common feature in Early English work in thenorthof England, but not in the south. It resembles half a nutmeg, and is carved at certain distances apart in the hollow of a dripstone at St. Mary’s Church, Nunmonkton, Yorkshire.

Nuttoo, Hind. A nose-stud or ornament worn by Indian women, often set with brilliants, rubies, emeralds, and pearls.

Fig. 492. Nymphæum of Egeria, near Rome.

Nymphæum,Nympheum(νύμφαιονandνυμφεῖον). Literally,a building consecrated to the nymphs. It was a large and richly-decorated chamber, with columns, niches, and statues, and a fountain in the centre. Nymphæa were often erected near the head of a spring, and formed cool and agreeable retreats. Fig.492represents a portion of the ruins of the nymphæum of Egeria, near Rome; and Fig.493the interior of the nymphæum at Nismes, restored. In Christian times the fountains or cisterns common at the doors of churches were callednymphæa.

Fig. 493. Nymphæum at Nismes (restored).

Nymphs.Inferior goddesses of the mountains, forests, waters, or meadows. Those presiding over rivers, &c., wereOceanides,Naiads,Nereids; those over mountains,Oreiads; those over woods and trees,DryadsandHamadryads; those over valleys,Napææ, &c. They were represented in art as beautiful young women. The waters of Hades had their presiding nymphs, theAvernales.

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