P.
PackfongorPakfong. A Chinese name for Argentine, or German silver.
Pæan(Gr.παιάν). A hymn to Apollo, of gratitude or propitiation. It was also used as a battle-song before and after an engagement.
Pænula, R. A thick cloak with a hole to put the head through; it was furnished with a hood, and was worn in travelling, or as a protection against cold and rain.
Pagai, Hind. A kind of short double oar, with broad ends resembling small scoops.
Paganalia,Paganales, R. A rustic festival which took place yearly towards the end of January or the beginning of February, seven days after theSementivæ. It was the festival of villages (pagi) and of villagers (pagani), whence its name. Sacrifices were offered in honour of Proserpine, goddess of vegetation. As the old religion continued to prevail in the villages long after that of Christ was established in the towns, the wordspaganand unbeliever gradually became synonymous.
Paganica(sc.pila), R. A ball covered with leather and stuffed with feathers or down; it took its name from the peasants or country people (pagani), who used it for playing a game the nature of which is not known.
Pagina, R. (lit. a thing fastened). This term, when synonymous withscheda, signifies a page of paper, the page of a volume; or else it serves to denote one of the columns of writing which cover a sheet of paper.
Pagoda, Hind. (1) A religious building of the Hindoos. The great ancient pagodas of India are monolithic temples hewn out of rocky mountains; but the term is also applied to temples built in the open air. (2) Gold coins formerly current in India were called pagodas.
Pagoda-stone.A limestone containing tapering fossil shells shaped like a Chinese pagoda at the top.
Pagodite.A stone much used by the Chinese for carving into pagodas and other ornaments.
Pagus, R. Any lofty site in the country capable of being easily turned into a fortified post by means of a few siege works. The name was extended to the country surrounding a fortified village; and each of the country tribes was divided by Numa into a certain number of pagi.
Paile.An old term used to denote a striped cloth of floss silk manufactured at Alexandria in Egypt, and thence a mantle, canopy, or pavilion.
Pala, It. An altar front. ThePala d’oroof St. Mark’s, Venice, is a celebrated specimen of Byzantine art. It is of silver-gilt ornamented with gems and enamels, with Greek and Latin inscriptions in niello, and representations from sacred and profane history. It was originally made at Constantinople in 976, but has been repaired in 1105, in 1209, and in 1345, by which it has lost much of its original character.
Pala, R. A spade, or scoop in the form of a spade, and thence the bezil of a ring.
Palæstra(παλαίστρα). A place for wrestling, formerly part of the gymnasium. (SeeGymnasium.)
Palanga.(SeePhalangæ.) Hence:—
Palanquin.A covered conveyance for one person, carried on the shoulders of men in India and China. They are often very splendidly carved, and decorated with tapestry, ornamental woods, and inlaid-work.
Palaria, R. An exercise practised by young Roman recruits, which consisted of hurling javelins (pila) against a stake (palus) fixed in the ground. (SeePel.)
Palè, Gr. (πάλη). A Greek term having the same meaning asLucta,Luctamen,Luctamentum(q.v.).
Pale, Her. One of the ordinaries.PalewiseorIn Pale, arranged vertically one above the other, as the lions of England. (SeePer.)
Paleste, Gr. (παλαιστὴ, i. e. palm of the hand). A lineal measure used by the Greeks equal to the quarter of a foot, or a little more than three inches. (SeePalmus.)
Palette.“Setting the palette” is arranging the colours for use. This is always done in a certain order regulated by the key in which the picture is to be painted. The order generally recommended is to begin with white, and then proceed through the yellows, reds, and blues to black. The Egyptians used palettes of a long rectangular form; one side higher than the other, had two or three saucers sunk in it to hold cakes of colour or ink; the other side was notched to receive thecalamior cut reeds used as writing-pens.
PalettesorRoundels, in Armour, are round plates or shields hung on the armour to defend the joints of the arm, necessarily left free for action.
Palilia, R. A festival in honour of Pales, the goddess of shepherds and flocks; it was held on the 21st of April.
Palimpsest(παλίμ-ψηστος, lit. scraped again). A parchment the writing on which had been erased, so that it might be used again. Monumental brasses are found to have been reversed and used a second time. In both cases the most ancient writing or inscription is generally the most valuable and interesting.
Palindrome(πάλιν, again, andδρόμος, a course). A sentence which reads the same when read backwards or forwards. Such is the Greek inscription on the ancient font in the chapel of Dulwich College: “νιψονανομημαμημονανοψιν.” “Purify the heart and not the countenance alone.”
Fig. 516. Palissy jug.
Fig. 516. Palissy jug.
Fig. 516. Palissy jug.
Palissy Ware.The pieces to which Palissy owes his reputation, in the first place, are the so called “rustic pottery” (rustiques figulines), “dishes or vases where upon a rough ground strewn with fossil shells, lizards and salamanders are running, frogs jumping, snakes crawling or sleeping, or more still, in a streamlet of water wriggling eels, pointed-nosed pikes, trout with spotted scales, and a thousand others of our fresh-water fishes are swimming.” When afterwards he worked in the capital, he did not give up his rustic compositions, but mixed them with the human figure. “There is an identity of style in all his figures and compositions; such as the Diana, Plenty, &c., framed round with delicate and ingenious ornaments drawn in the taste of the period.” (Jacquemart.)
Paliurus.A thorn-bush with long sharp spikes, common on the coasts of the Mediterranean, where it is calledChrist’s thorn, because it is said to have furnished material of which the Crown of thorns was woven.
Palla, Gr. and R. A robe of state worn by patrician ladies, and frequently represented on statues of goddesses.Palla citharœdicawas the name given to a long robe which musicians wore upon the stage; Apollo is often represented with this garment, especially when he is surnamedCitharœdusandMusagetes.Palla Gallicawas a short garment like aTabard, open in front and behind; it was worn by the Gauls and adopted by the Romans, who called itCaracalla(q.v.).
Palla Corporalis, Chr. The veil for the Pyx. (SeeCorporal.)
Palladium.(1) An image of Pallas Athenê, kept carefully hidden, and revered as the safeguard of the place where it lay. The most celebrated was thePalladiumof Troy, said to have been thrown from Olympus by the hand of Zeus. It was about three cubits high, and represented the goddess sitting with a spear in her right hand, and in her left a distaff and spindle. (2) The term has been applied to a metal discovered by Dr. Wollaston in 1803, obtained from platinum, which it resembles in colour and lustre.
Pallium(Gr.ἱμάτιον). A large square woollen sheet or blanket worn by the Greeks over the shoulders, and fastened like theAbollaround the neck with a brooch (fibula); it formed the principal article of theamictusor Greek dress. (Hence the expression topalliate, or cloak over, an offence.) (2) Chr. A vestment bestowed by the Pope on all patriarchs and archbishops on their accession to office as the symbol of their ecclesiastical power. The material is obtained from the wool of two lambs slain on the Eve of St. Agnes. The modern pallium of the Church is a short white cloak ornamented with a red cross, which encircles the neck and shoulders, and falls down the back. The pall or pallium is a charge in the arms of the Sees of Canterbury, Armagh, and Dublin.
Pall-mall.The ancient form of the game of croquet, “wherein a round box bowle is with a mallet strucke through a high arch of yron standing at either end of an ally.” (Cotgrave.) “This game is used at the long alley near St. James’s, and vulgarly called Pell-Mell.” (Blount’s Glossary, 1681.)
Palm.The ancient classical emblem of victory and triumph was early assumed by the Christians as the universal symbol of martyrdom. In England we understand by palm, not the leaves of a palm-tree, but “the yelowe that groweth on wyllowes.”
Fig. 516 a. Palm-leaf Ornament.
Fig. 516 a. Palm-leaf Ornament.
Fig. 516 a. Palm-leaf Ornament.
Fig. 516 b. Architectural Palm-leaf Ornament.
Fig. 516 b. Architectural Palm-leaf Ornament.
Fig. 516 b. Architectural Palm-leaf Ornament.
Palm-leaf, Arch. An architectural ornament bearing more or less resemblance to a palm-leaf, employed for mouldings, and for the decoration of the corners of the ceilings in Doric cornices; and in antefixæ, as crownings for the pediment and as acroteria. Figs. 516a and 516b represent palm-leaves of terra-cotta.
Palmus, Gr. and R. A measure of length. Of the Greekpalmusthe greater (σπιθαμὴ) contained nine finger-breadths, and the less (παλαιστὴ) four. The greater Romanpalmuscontained twelve finger-breadths or about nine inches, and the less four finger-breadths. The greaterpalmuswas taken from the length of the hand or span, the less from the breadth of it.
Palstave, Celt. A wedge-shaped axe used by the Celtic nations in war for battering the armour of the enemy. (See Fig.255.)
Paltock(modernpaletôt). “A short cloake with sleeves,” i. e. a great-coat.
Paludamentum, R. A military cloak worn over their armour by the generals and superior officers of the Roman army; an officer thus dressed was said to bepaludatus. (See Fig.44.)
Palus, R. (pango, to fix). A stake planted in the earth, against which recruits hurled their javelins (pila). The mediævalPel(q.v.).
Pam, O. E. The knave of clubs. (Halliwell.)
Pammachium(παμμάχιον). A synonym forPancratium(q.v.).
Fig. 517. Panache.
Fig. 517. Panache.
Fig. 517. Panache.
Panache, Her. A plume of feathers set upright and borne as a crest. Fig.517is from the seal of Edward Courtenay,A. D.1400.
Panarium, R. (panis, bread). A bread-basket; a pantry in which bread was kept.
Panathenæa, Gr. (Παναθήναια). Festivals of Minerva Athenê among the Athenians, so called because they formed the festival of all the peoples placed under the protection of Minerva (πᾶν, all, andἈθήνη). There were the Greater and Lesser Panathenæa; the former being held every five years, the latter every three years. The procession at the Greater festival is the subject of the friezes from the Parthenon now in the British Museum. (SeeElgin Marbles.) They represent the solemn transportation of thepeplusof Athenê to her temple, in which nearly the whole of the population took part, on foot, on horseback, or in chariots. Old men carried olive-branches, young men attended in armour, and maidens carried baskets of flowers.
Panaulon.An enlarged German flute with sixteen finger-keys; invented recently by Trexler of Vienna. It is available as a bass to other flutes.
Pancratium, R. (fromπάνevery: andκράτοςforce). A wrestling and boxing match, in which the combatants employed every means to disable each other; and the contest was continued until one of the combatants owned himself disabled by holding up a finger, or was killed.
Paned, O. E. Striped.
Paned Hose.Breeches formed of stripes, with small panes or squares of silk or velvet. (Halliwell.)
Panegyris, Egyp. (πανήγυρις). A popular festival of Egypt, to which the whole country was summoned in order to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the reigning monarch.
Panels, Arch. The sunken compartments in wood and stone-work; very abundant in Gothic architecture as ornaments on walls, ceilings, &c. After the expiration of Gothic architecture, panelling in great measure ceased to be used in stone-work.
Panel Picture.A painting on a board or panel.
Panisci, R. (Πανίσκοι, dimin. fromΠάν). Literally,small Pans, small rustic gods no bigger than pigmies.
Pannetier Green.A handsome and durable emerald green, prepared by a secret process by its inventor, M. Pannetier. It is sold at a high price.
Panoply(πανοπλία). A complete suit of armour. (SeeArmour.)
Pantables(forPantofles). Slippers.
“Hee standeth upon hispantables, and regardeth greatly his reputacion.” (Saker’s Narbonus, 1580.)
Pantaloon.From the Italian,pianta leone(plant the lion); the Venetian standard-bearers (of thelionof St. Mark) being so called, who wore tight hose, the name came to be given to tight hose in general. In ancient pantomimes, Pantaloon was always a Venetian. (SeeHarlequin.)
Pantaloons, O. E. “Garments made for merry-andrews, that have the breeches and stockings of the same stuff, and joined together as one garment.” (Halliwell.)
Panthea, Gen. (πάν-θεια). Statues or figures which combine the symbols of several divinities.
Pantheon(πᾶν, every, andθεὸς, god). A temple dedicated to all the divinities collectively. That at Rome is now a Christian church. It is circular, 150 feet in height and in diameter, with a domed roof.
Pantherinæ, R. Panther-tables; of wood striped like the skin of a panther. (SeeTigrinæ.)
Pantobles,Pantoffles, O. E. Slippers.
Pantofles, O. E. Slippers or wooden pattens.
Pantograph.An instrument for enlarging or reducing plans and designs, largely used in the arts, e. g. in machine embroidery.
Pantomine(παντὸς, of everything;μῖμος, mimic). Gesture and action applied, without speech, to represent emotion; hence applied to the form of theatrical performance which consists entirely or principally of gesture and action.
Paper.(SeeCharta.)
Papier-maché, Fr. Paper-pulp; made by compressing the pulp, or by pasting together different thicknesses of paper, to the hardness and consistency of wood. It is an invention of the 18th century, and originated in snuff-boxes called after their manufacturer “Martins.” The process has since been developed to great perfection by the invention of new varnishes and methods of ornament, the principal of which are gilding and bronzing, pearl and gem inlaying, &c. (See a paper byR. Huntin theArt Journal, 1851.)
Papilio, R. (lit. a butterfly). A military tent, so called because the curtains opened and shut like the wings of a butterfly.
Papyrus.The paper made of the papyrus plant, used by the Egyptians and other nations of antiquity. ThePapyrus rollson which important relics of Egyptian literature and art have come down to us, were formed of a sheet of papyrus rolled on a slender wooden cylinder. They have mostly been discovered in mummy cases, and contain illustrations of funeral ceremonies and religious emblems relating to the future of the soul. Others are historical or literary, and some have been discovered containing caricatures and comic illustrations. (Cf.Liber.)
Parada, Celt. A tent or awning stretched over the deck of a vessel, and thence a cabin hung with tapestry.
ParadiseorParvise, Chr. (1) A vestibule or courtyard in front of a church. The term must thus, at a certain period, have been synonymous withnarthexor porch. At the present day the term is applied to the open space to be found in front of cathedrals or public buildings. (2) The word is sometimes applied to the room that is often found above church porches. (SeeCloister Garth.)
Paradisus(παράδεισος). A Persian park or pleasure-garden, enclosed within a wall, elaborately planted and irrigated, and stocked with animals for the chase. Hence the Garden of Eden was so called.
Paragauda,Paragaudis, R. An embroidered band of silk or gold thread sewn on to a tunic.
Paraison, Fr. A term in glass, equivalent to the EnglishMetal(q.v.).
Paralus(πάραλος). The name of an Athenian state vessel, kept, like that of the Doge of Venice in modern times, for state and religious ceremonies. A sister vessel was named theSalaminia; they were both fast-sailing triremes.
Paramese, Gr. (next to middle), orTrite(third). The third treble note, immediately above the mese, of the seven-stringed lyre. (SeeMese.)
Paranete, Gr. (beside the shortest). The second treble note of the seven-stringed lyre. (SeeMese.)
Parapet, It. (parare petto, to defend the breast). A wall breast-high on a fortification, roof, or other gallery. (SeeCrenels.)
Paraphernalia(from the Greekπαράφερνα). That which a wife brings besides her dower; i. e. her personal attire and ornament.
Parasang.A Persian measure of distance, about 30 Greek stadia or 3¾ English miles.
Paratorium.(SeeOblationarium.)
Parazonium, R. (παραζώνιον). A short sword or kind of dagger worn by the tribunes and superior officers of the Roman army attached to their belt on the right side. This sword was shorter than thegladiusworn by the common soldier on the right side.
Parchment.The finer kind of parchment known asvellumis from the skins of calves, kids, and dead-born lambs. The stout parchment of drum-heads is from the skin of the wolf, although that of the ass or calf is sometimes used. The parchment of battledores is from the skin of the ass, and that used for sieves from the skin of the he-goat. The green parchment used in bookbinding is coloured by means of Verdigris. (SeeLiber.) The name comes from the Latin Pergamentum. Eumenes, King of Pergamus, has the honour of the invention.
Parentales,Parentalia, R. Festivals, also calledFebruales, which were held by the Romans in honour of deceased ancestors.
Pargetting,Parge-work, O. E. In Architecture, an old term for the ornamental plasterwork common on the outside walls of timber-built houses of Queen Elizabeth’s and earlier periods.
Parhypate, Gr. (beside the longest). The second bass note of the seven-stringed lyre (SeeMese.)
Parian Chronicle.A slab of Parian marble, among the so calledArundel Marblesin the University of Oxford, containing a chronological record of Greek history fromB.C.1582 toB.C.264.
Parian Marblefrom the island of Paros was of extremely fine grain, easy to work, and of a creamy white. The marblenowcalled Parian has a coarse sparkling grain, which, however, takes a high finish. (Redford,Ancient Sculpture.)
Paries, R. The wall of a house or any building, in contradistinction tomurus,muri, which denoted the walls of a city.
Paris Black.A name forIvory Black(q.v.).
Paris Blue.A very handsome dark violet-blue pigment. “Its great qualities of body and intensity of coloration will always ensure it a large sale; moreover, its mixture with chrome yellow produces a finegreen cinnabarorleaf-green.” (Habich.)
Paris Lake.(SeeCarminated Lakes.)
Parlour(Lat.parlatorium). (1) The old “speke-house” in a convent for inmates to speak with their friends. (2) Any private room.
Parma, R. (πάρμη). A shield, usually of circular form, carried in the Roman army by the light-armed troops or light infantry (velites) and the cavalry (equites). Theparma thracidicaused by the class of gladiators calledThraceswas not round, but in the form of a smallScutum(q.v.).
Parquet.French flooring of inlaid wood-work.
Parsley, Arch. In every period, but especially in Romano-Byzantine and Gothic art, parsley-leaves have been abundantly made use of in architectural decoration.
Parthenon.The famous temple of Minerva in the Acropolis at Athens. The finest example of theGrecian Doricstyle of architecture; built by Pheidias, 454–438B.C.Fergusson says, “For beauty of detail, and for the exquisite perception of the highest and most recondite principles of art ever applied to architecture, it stands utterly and entirely alone and unrivalled—the glory of Greece.” (Hist. of Architecture.) The celebrated frieze, 525 feet in length, ran all round the outer wall of thecellaclose up to the ceiling. The best work on the Parthenon sculptures is by Michaelis (Der Parthenon, Leipzig, 1871). (SeeElgin Marbles.)
Partisan, O. E. A kind of short pike, introducedtemp.Edward III.
Partlet, O. E. A ruff. “A maydens neckerchefe or lynnen partlette.”
Party,Parted, Her. Divided. (SeePer.)
Parvise.(SeeParadise.)
Paschal Taper, Chr. A large wax candle which was consecrated during the service on Easter Eve, and lighted on Sundays from Easter to Whitsuntide, with five grains of incense attached to it to indicate the five movable feasts of the year.
Pasquinade, It. A lampoon; so called fromPasquino, an Italian barber at Rome, whose door was opposite to the statue of a gladiator on which such satirical writings were posted.
Passamen, O. E. A kind of lace. (Hall.)
Fig. 518. Passant.
Fig. 518. Passant.
Fig. 518. Passant.
Fig. 519. Passant guardant.
Fig. 519. Passant guardant.
Fig. 519. Passant guardant.
Passant, Her. Walking and looking forward.Passant guardant, walking and looking out from the shield;passant reguardant, walking and looking back;passant repassant, walking in opposite directions. (Fig.518, 519.)
Passe-partout, Fr. A light picture-frame of cardboard, having the inner edges generally gilt.
Passementerie, Fr. Trimming, lace, or tape of gold, silver, lace, or thread.
Passion, Instruments of the—a frequent subject in ecclesiastical decoration of the Middle Ages—are, thePitcherfrom which Jesus poured water; theTowel—represented as hanging on a ring—wherewith He wiped the Apostles’ feet; theTwo Swordswhich they showed Him, when He said, “It is enough;” theEarof Malchus;St. Peter’s Sword, represented as a smallfalchion; thePostto which the Saviour was bound; theScourge; theCrown of Thorns; theReedwherewith He was smitten on the head; theCross; theLadder; theNails; theSpearof Longinus, crossed by theReedwith theSponge; theFireat which St. Peter warmed himself; theCock; thePincers, and aHeartpierced with five wounds.
Passus, R. A pace, from the point where the heel leaves the ground, to where the same heel is set down; five Roman feet.Mille passuum, or a thousand such paces, formed the Roman mile.
Pasta Verde, It. Sap-green; a vegetable green pigment prepared from the berries of the buckthorn.
Pastel.The French name for coloured crayons. Pastel-painting was much used for portraits in the beginning of the 19th century.
Pasticcio, It. An imitation of the style of another painter in an independent design.
Pastophori, Gr. and Egyp. (παστο-φόροι). Priests who, at certain ceremonies, carried small shrines (ναὸς) containing the image of a deity, which were hidden from the eyes of the crowd by a veil of different colours calledπαστὸς, whenceπαστὸν φέρειν(to carry thepastos), the term applied to the priests who performed this duty. The keepers of the temple were also so called.
Pastophoria, Chr. Small apses flanking the principal apse in a basilica, in which the consecrated bread was kept.
Fig. 520. Bishop’s Pastoral Staff.
Fig. 520. Bishop’s Pastoral Staff.
Fig. 520. Bishop’s Pastoral Staff.
Pastoral Staff, Chr. Thepedumof antiquity and emblem of a bishop’s pastoral responsibility is distinct from theCrozier(q.v.) of an archbishop, and has a crook head.
Pastouraux, Cubical stones, usually of two colours, applied in the ornamentation of Romano-Byzantine architecture.
Patagium, R. A band of purple, or with gold ornaments or embroidery, which was placed round the neck and down the front of a woman’s tunic (tunica muliebris).
PateeorPattee, Her. A small cross with the arms widening towards the ends.
Patella.Diminutive ofPatera(q.v.).
Patena, R. and Chr. A manger of wood, stone, or marble for holding food for horses; when it was divided into several compartments, these were calledloculi. (SeeLoculus.) In Christian archæology,patenawas the term applied to a small plate of gold or silver, used in the celebration of mass to cover over the chalice, and to hold the pieces of the host after it has been broken by the priest.
Patent Yellow.(SeeTurner’s Yellow.)
Fig. 521. Patera.
Fig. 521. Patera.
Fig. 521. Patera.
Patera, dimin.Patella(φιάλη). Flat plates or dishes for holding fluids for domestic use, and wine for libations in the sacrifices. The common kinds were of red earthenware, ornamented with designs in black. Others were of bronze or silver, often richly decorated with chasing, &c. (ComparePatina.) In Architecture, a great variety of flat ornaments used in all styles of architecture are improperly calledpateræ, the word applying properly to circular ornaments resembling the classical dish often found on friezes of classical architecture. (Fig.521, 522.)
Fig. 522. Side view, showing the depth of the patera.
Fig. 522. Side view, showing the depth of the patera.
Fig. 522. Side view, showing the depth of the patera.
Fig. 523. Paternosters.
Fig. 523. Paternosters.
Fig. 523. Paternosters.
PaternostersorBead-ornament. (1) A rosary. (2) Architectural ornaments in the form of berries or beads (Fig.523), which decorate bands or other mouldings, and which often occur above ovolos.
Patibulum, R. An instrument of punishment in the form of a fork (furca), between the prongs of which the criminal’s neck was placed. His hands were fastened to the prongs of the fork, and in this condition (patibulatus) he was flogged through the city. The name ofpatibulum, orcrux patibularia, was also given to a cross to which criminals were nailed.
Patina.The rust of antiquity found on bronzes and coins; it cannot be removed by rubbing or wetting it. It varies with the nature of the soil, and in some cases the surface acquires the smoothness and colour of malachite.
Patina, R. An earthenware vessel, used generally for cookery. It was deeper than thepatera, but less deep than theolla.
Patonce, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross.
Patriarchal, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross, with a short cross-bar on the upper limb.
Fig. 524. Badge of St. Patrick.
Fig. 524. Badge of St. Patrick.
Fig. 524. Badge of St. Patrick.
Patrick, Order of St., indicated by the letters K.P., was instituted by George III. in 1783. The badge or jewel is of gold enamelled and oval in form, and is worn suspended from a collar formed of alternate roses and harps, or from a broad sky-blue ribbon.
Patten, Fr. (1) A woman’s clog. (2) The base of a column.
Patulous.Spreading.
Paul Veronese Green.Anarseniteorarseniate of copper. A fine and durable colour, used either for oil or water-colour painting. (SeeEmerald Green.)
Pavilion, Arch. A projecting apartment, usually with a dome or turret.
Fig. 525. Pavimentum (sectile).
Fig. 525. Pavimentum (sectile).
Fig. 525. Pavimentum (sectile).
Pavimentum, R. A pavement formed by means of pieces of tile, crushed stones, flints, and other materials set in a bed of ashes or cement, and consolidated by beating down with the rammer (pavicula), whence its name ofpavimentum. There were various kinds of pavimenta: the sectile (Figs. 525, 526), thetessellatumortesseris structum, thevermiculatum, thesculpturatum, and thetestaceum, &c.
Fig. 526. Pavimentum (sectile).
Fig. 526. Pavimentum (sectile).
Fig. 526. Pavimentum (sectile).
Pavo.(SeePeacock.)
Pavonaceum(sc.opus), R. An arrangement of materials placed so as to overlap one another, and bearing more or less resemblance to the feathers in a peacock’s tail.
Pavonine.Coloured like a peacock’s tail.
Pax,Paxboard, Chr. A representation of the Crucifixion upon a piece of wood or metal, with a handle at the back. It was kissed by the priest in the mass at the words “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,” and afterwards passed round to be kissed by the congregation. It was also speltPaxbrede. Also calledOsculatorium.
Peach-stone Black, prepared from calcined stones of fruits, is a handsome colour, but has a reddish tinge. Ground with oil and white lead, the colour calledold grayis obtained.
Peacock, R. and Chr. In antiquity the peacock was sacred to Juno, and is calledJunonia avis. It is represented on Roman imperial coins bearing the empresses up to heaven, as the eagle does the emperors; and hence in Christian archæology is the symbol of the resurrection. (Her., see Fig.398,In Pride.)
Pea-green.(SeeChrysocolla.)
Pean, Her. One of the furs; represented in gold spots on a black ground.
PeanorPæan. A song or shout of triumph.
Pearl.A secretion of the mollusc; in its normal development a thickening of the shell, which suppliesmother-of-pearl; abnormally, forming globules for the purpose of encysting foreign substances intruded within the shell, which are the precious pearls used in jewellery.
Pearl, in Chinese the emblem oftalent, is put by the Chinese on porcelains destined for rewards of poets and otherlaureatiin China.
Pebble.A name given by lapidaries to many different stones.
PechblendeorPech-urane, Germ. An ore of uranium and iron, used in porcelain painting and glass, producing a handsome greenish-yellow pigment.
Pecten, Egyp. and R. (pecto, to comb). (1) A comb for the hair; among the Egyptians and Romans they were made of box-wood or ivory. (SeeComb.) (2) A weaver’s comb for pressing the threads of the web firmly together. (3) A comb for carding flax or wool. (4) A reaper’s “comb,” used in several countries, especially Gaul, instead of a sickle, for plucking the ears of wheat from the stalk. (5) A haymaker’s rake, &c.
Pectinated.Having teeth like a comb.
Pectoral, Gen. (pectus, the breast). A plate forming the front of a cuirass, and thus covering the chest.
Peculium, R. Property or earnings which a slave or afilius familiaswas permitted to acquire and consider as his own, although in strict law it belonged to the master or father. The slave was sometimes allowed by agreement to use this peculium for the purpose of purchasing his liberty.
Pecunia, R. Money; so called frompecus, a herd of cattle, Man’s primitive medium of exchange.
Pedal.In Music, a passage where the harmony moves upon a sustained sound, which is either the dominant or the tonic of the key.
Pede-cloth, Chr. A carpet laid on the space between the altar and the rails.
Fig. 527. Pedestal of Trajan’s Column.
Fig. 527. Pedestal of Trajan’s Column.
Fig. 527. Pedestal of Trajan’s Column.
Fig. 528. Pedestal of Column of Antoninus Pius.
Fig. 528. Pedestal of Column of Antoninus Pius.
Fig. 528. Pedestal of Column of Antoninus Pius.
Fig. 529. Pedestal of the Androsium at Athens.
Fig. 529. Pedestal of the Androsium at Athens.
Fig. 529. Pedestal of the Androsium at Athens.
Pedestal, Gen. The base of a structure; the base supporting a statue, group, or monumental column. A pedestal has three parts: thebaseorfootnext the ground, thedadoordieforming the centre, and thecorniceorsurbasemouldings at the top. Fig.527represents a half-section of the base of Trajan’s column at Rome; Fig.528a half-section of the base of the column dedicated to Antoninus Pius, and preserved in the Pio Clementino Museum at Rome; lastly, Fig.529gives a part of the pedestal or base of the Pandrosium at Athens; when, however, pedestals support caryatides or columns, they are more commonly calledStylobates(q.v.).
Pedica, R. (1) A snare by which an animal is caught by the foot (pes). (2) Fetters or irons worn on the feet by slaves.
Pediculated, Arch. Sustained or supported by aPedicule(q.v.).
Pedicule, Arch. A small pillar which serves as a support to anything; whence the expressionsmonopediculated(with a single pedicule) (Fig.387), andpolypediculated(with several pedicules).
Pediluvium.(SeeAblutions.)
Pediment, Arch. The triangular crowning of a portico, usually supported by a row of columns. (Fig.26.) The temples of antiquity generally had two pediments, one on each face. The inner part of the pediment is called theTympanum(q.v.).
Pedum, Gen. (pes, a foot). A shepherd’s crook, or curved stick for catching goats or sheep by the leg. Fauns and satyrs are often represented carrying the pastoral crook, and it is the attribute of Thalia, as the muse of pastoral poetry. (See underPeplum.) In Egyptian archæology it is a symbol of authority, and is frequently to be seen in the hands of Osiris and the Pharaohs; the Egyptian term for it ishyq. (Cf.Hycsos.) In early Christian art it is an attribute of Our Lord as theGood Shepherd. Representations of the pedum are of frequent occurrence in the catacomb paintings. (SeePastoral Staff.)