V.

In mediæval words the initialsVandBoccasionally interchange:—asVanneriaforBanneria,a banner, &c.

Vacerra, R. (vacca, a cow). An enclosure in which cattle were kept.

Vacons, Hind. Hindoo genii which figure in the celestial hierarchy immediately after Brahma. They are eight in number, and each of them protects one of the eight regions of the world: Paoulestia is the guardian of the North or mineral wealth; Ima, god of the dead and the infernal regions, is the guardian of the South; Indra, god of the ether and the day, the guardian of the East; Pratcheta, god of waters and the ocean, the guardian of the West; Içania, who is looked upon as an incarnation of Siva, is the guardian of the North-East; Pavana, king of the winds, the guardian of the North-West; Agni or Pacava, the god of fire, is the guardian of the South-East; and Nirouti, the prince of the evil genii, is the guardian of the South-West. (Bosc.)

Vagina, R. The scabbard of a sword, made of wood or leather, and generally ornamented with plates and bosses of metal. (See Fig.44.)

Vails(fromVale, farewell!). Fees to servants from parting guests.

Vair.The fur of the squirrel, much worn in state costumes of the 14th century. In Heraldry—one of the furs—represented as a series of small shields placed close together, alternately blue and white.

Valance.Drapery hangings for furniture, cornices, &c.; hence—

Valenced.Fringed with a beard. (Shakespeare.)

Fig. 678. Gilded Vase of Valencia, with votive inscription.

Valencia Pottery.M. Jacquemart considers this the most ancient and the true centre of the ceramic fabrication in Spain, carried back by tradition to the Roman domination. On the conquest of Spain from the Moors the Saracen potters of Valencia were protected by special charter. Fig.678is an illustration of the gilded ware for which Valencia is famous.

Fig. 679. Valenciennes.

Valenciennes.The date of the introduction of the manufacture of this lace is unknown, although it existed before the time of Louis XIV., under whose reign it flourished and reached its climax between 1725 and 1780. Valenciennes lace is made entirely on the pillow, of simple combinations, with one kind of thread for the pattern and for the ground. (See engraving.) No lace is so expensive to make from the number of bobbins required. The flax used is of the finest quality, so fine that the lace-makers worked in underground cellars to keep their work from the air, and scarcely completed an inch and half of lace in a day.

Valendar Clay.A kind of potter’s clay from Nassau. (Simmonds.)

Valet, O. E. (Med. Lat.valeti). Sons of the nobility and of knights bore this title, until they acquired the military belt. (Meyrick.)

Valle Cypre.A silk mourning crape, called also Bologna crape.

Vallum, Gr. and R. (vallus, a stake). A palisade made with strong branches of trees, which was placed on the top of the embankment (agger) surrounding a camp.

Valvæ, R. (Gr.σανίς). Folding doors or shutters; synonym ofFores.

Fig. 680. Vambrace.

Vambrace(Fr.avant bras). The ancientBRACHIALE, the covering of the lower arm, from the elbow to the wrist. Originally it covered only the outside of the arm, but afterwards was made like a sleeve of iron. (Cf.Rerebrace.)

Vamp.Upper leathers for shoes. In Russia and the East they are richly embroidered.

Vampire.A monster of mediæval iconography. A well-known example is the one which decorates the angle of one of the towers in Paris Cathedral.

Vamplate(Fr.avant plaque). A guard of metal over the handle of a tilting-lance.

Van(from Fr.avant). Of an army, the front.

Vandyke-brown.A pigment of a fine, deep, semi-transparent brown colour obtained from peat.

Vane, orFane, O. E. (from the GermanFahne, a banner), (1) A broad flag to be carried by a knight in a tournament. (Meyrick, i. 155.) Hence (2) a weathercock, in Mediæval buildings generally in the form of a heraldic banner supported by a figure. (SeeFane.)

Vanishing Point.In perspective. (SeePoint of Sight.)

Vannerie, Fr. Basket-work.

Vannus, R. A winnowing-van; i. e. a broad flat basket used for winnowing the chaff from the corn. It was among the agricultural symbols borne in the processions of Ceres. A sculpture in the British Museum represents the infant Bacchus riding in such a basket in the hands of a pair of dancing bacchantes.

Vantbrace.(SeeVambrace.)

Vaquero, Sp. A jacket worn by women and children.

Fig. 681. Farthingale, temp. Elizabeth.

Vardingale, O. E. Thefarthingaleor hooped petticoat of Elizabeth’s reign, fig. 681.

“Supporters, postures,farthingales,Above the loins to wear,That, be she ne’er so slender, yetShe cross-like seems four square.”(Warner, in Albion’s England.)

“Supporters, postures,farthingales,

Above the loins to wear,

That, be she ne’er so slender, yet

She cross-like seems four square.”

(Warner, in Albion’s England.)

Varnishesare made by dissolvingresinsor gum-resins in alcohol, ether, &c., so that as the spirit evaporates the varnish dries down into a transparent film; varnishes are coloured with aloes, annotto, cochineal, dragon’s blood, gamboge, indigo, red saunders, saffron, or turmeric.Amber varnishis hardest and most durable in colour, but dries very slowly.Animé varnishdries quickly, but is liable to crack, and deepens in colour with exposure to the air.Copalranks next to amber in durability, and the varnish becomes lighter by exposure; the best copal varnishes are slow in drying unless mixed with animé.Masticis a favourite spirit varnish used as a picture varnish and for delicate works of a pale colour.Damarmixed with mastic makes an appropriate varnish for maps and similar work. The qualities to be sought in varnishes for a painting are that they should resist damp, exclude air, and not injure the colour. (See alsoItalian varnish,Strasburg turpentine, &c.)

Vas, R. A vase. Any kind of vessel, e.g.Vasa Corinthia,Vasa Deliaca,Vasa Samia,Murrhina, &c. The manufacture and ornamentation of vases was one of the most important branches of Classical Art. Illustrations of vases are found in this work under:

Vatillum.(SeeBatillum.)

Vaunt-brace, O. E., orWarnbrace. Armour for the body.

Vectis, R. (veho, to carry). A bar of wood or iron used as a lever, crow-bar, capstan bar, or pole for carrying burdens on the back; the workman who made use of avectiswas calledvectiarius.

Vedas(from Sanskritvid, to know), Hind. Four collections of sacred books said to have been collated about 3000B.C.from earlier documents. They are theRigveda, a collection of hymns and prayers; theYajurveda, liturgical and ceremonial ordinances;Samaveda, lyrical pieces; andAtharvaveda, chiefly incantations. Besides the above, each Veda contains fragmentary writings calledSambuta, and dogmatic treatises calledBrahmana; and certain Commentaries, calledUpavedas,Vedangas, andUpangasare regarded as forming a fifth Veda. The above form the sacred books of the Hindoo religion.

Vegetable Blue Black.(SeeBlue Black.)

Vegetable Ivory.Nuts of a South American palm (Phytelephas macrocarpa) resembling ivory, and much used for ornamental carving.

VehiclesorMediums. The liquid in which pigments are applied. Infrescoand water-colour painting gum-water is used; indistemper painting, size; inoil painting, the fixed oils of linseed, nut, and poppy. Inencausticwax is used. (See alsoMedium,Copal,Italian varnish,Megylp, &c.)

VelamenandVelamentum, R. (velum, a veil). A veil worn by women, concealing the whole person. (SeeFlammeum.)

Velarium, R. (velum, a covering). An awning stretched over a theatre; usually of woollen cloth, but sometimes of more costly materials.

Velatura, It. A mode of glazing, adopted by the early Italian painters, by which the colour was rubbed on by all the fingers or the flat of the hand, so as to fill the interstices left by the brush, and cover the entire surface of the picture thinly and evenly. (Fairholt.)

Velatus, R. (velo, to cover). Veiled or wearing flowing garments; having the forehead encircled with a garland.Milites velatiwere supernumerary soldiers who filled the places of those who were killed or disabled.

Velites, R. A body of light-armed infantry not forming part of the legion, who skirmished in small companies.

Vellum.Fine parchment from the skins of calves; any parchment binding is by librarians technically described as vellum. It is a beautiful substitute for paper, for luxurious printing of books for presentation, &c., and was much used by mediæval artists for painting and illuminating.

Velours(Fr. Velvet). A kind of velvet or plush for furniture, carpets, &c., manufactured in Prussia, partly of linen, and partly of double cotton warps with mohair yarn weft. (Simmonds’ Commercial Dict.)

Velours d’Utrecht.A woollen velvet, for tapestry, &c., made in the Netherlands.

Veloute, Fr. Velvet lace.

Velum, R. (1) A general term for any kind of sail, esp. the squaremainsailof a ship in contradistinction to the other sails. (2) The curtain or drop-scene of a theatre. (3) The curtain or hanging put up as a covering in front of a door. (4) A synonym forVelarium.

Velure(Fr.velours). Velvet. (Shakespeare.)

Velvet(Ital.velluto; hairy or shaggy, like an animal’s skin) was introduced into England in the 13th century.Velvet upon velvetis that where the pattern shows itself in adouble pile, one pile higher than the other. “Purshed” velvet was velvet raised in a network pattern.

Velvet Painting.The art of painting on fine velvet.

Velveteen.A kind ofFustian.

Venabulum, R. (venor, to hunt). A hunting-spear, a strong staff with a broad lozenge-shaped iron head.

Venationes.Hunting scenes and sports in the arena in which wild beasts were introduced fighting with each other and with men, a common subject of representation on bas-reliefs on ancient tombs.

Veneeringis the art of covering wooden objects with a thin slice of ornamental wood, so as to give the whole the false appearance of being made of the superior wood. It is distinct fromMarquetryorInlaid-work(q.v.).

Veneficium, R. The crime of poisoning; an accusation abused by the ancient Romans almost as that of witchcraft was in the middle ages.

Venetian Blindsare those made of laths strung together.

Venetian Chalk.A white talc used for marking cloth, &c.

Venetian Door.A door lighted by panes of glass on each side.

Fig. 682. Venetian point in relief, English made.

Venetian Point.The engraving represents an exquisite specimen of Venetian point lace in relief, shown at the International Exhibition, 1874, among other wonderful reproductions of ancient needle-made lace. (For method of working, seeNeedle Point.)

Venetian Porcelain.(SeeEcuelle.)

Venetian RedorScarlet Ochre. A burnt ochre, used as a pigment in oil and water-colours. Its colour is red, alloyed with blue and yellow.

Venetian Window.A window with three separate lights.

Venew(Fr.venu). A bout at a fencing-school.

Fig. 683. Venice, Doge of, in state costume, 16th century.

Venice, Doge of.The illustration represents the state costume of the Doge of Venice, wearing the traditional cap of liberty, the ermine, and richly embroidered robes of his office.

Venice Turpentine.A product of the larch, used for varnishing pictures. It is liable to crack.

Venice White.(SeeCarbonate of Lead,Barytes.)

VentaileorAventail. A movable front to a helmet, through which the wearer breathed:—“quâ ventus hauritur.”

“L’escu au col, la ventaille fermée.”(Roman de Roncevaux.)

“L’escu au col, la ventaille fermée.”

(Roman de Roncevaux.)

Ventrale, R. (venter, the belly). A girdle of peculiar shape, fastened round the loins over the abdomen.

Vents, Scotch. Chimneys.

Venturina, Sp. A precious stone, of a yellowish-brown colour. Hence:—

Venturine.A powder of gold used to sprinkle over japanned surfaces.

Ver Sacrum, R. (lit. a holy (or dedicated) Spring). The dedication to sacrifice of all that is born in a certain year, in the months of March and April, was a common practice of the early Italian nations, especially of the Sabines. In the most ancient times actual infanticide was a part of this offering; but in later years the practice was modified as regarded children. They were brought up, under a vow of dedication, to the age of twenty-one, and then with veiled faces expelled across the frontiers. Many colonies resulted from this practice.

Vera Icon, Chr. Thetrue imageimpressed upon theSudarium(q.v.) of St. Veronica. In St. Peter’s at Rome, in a chapel dedicated to that saint, a painting on linen is shown as the veritable napkin of St. Veronica; and a fine mosaic over the altar, after a design by Andrea Sacchi, represents the incident. (SeeStole.)

Verandah.An open portico to a house. In the tropical countries the open verandah is the principal apartment of a house, and Society appear to the passers-by, in their illuminated verandahs, like the actors on the stage of a theatre.

Verbena, R. Sacred herbs torn up by the roots from the enclosure of the Capitoline hill; which the Romanfetialesor ambassadors always carried in their hands on foreign embassies. (CompareVindiciæ.)

“When an injury had been received from a foreign state four fetiales were deputed to seek redress, who again elected one of their number to act as representative. He was styledpater patratus populi Romani. A fillet of white wool was bound round his head, together with awreath of sacred herbsgathered within the enclosure of the Capitoline hill (verbenæ, Sagmina), whence he was called Verbenarius.” (Dr. Smith.)

Verber, R. In a general sense, any kind of leather thong; as, for instance, the thong of a sling, the thong of a whip for driving horses or scourging slaves, &c.

Verde Antico.A green mottled serpentine marble, used by ancient sculptors, found at Taygetos. It is much valued for its beautiful markings.

Verde Azurro, It. (1) A native carbonate of copper, of a greenish-blue colour; theArmenian stoneof Pliny. (2) A blue-green pigment.

Verde Eterno.A dark green pigment, anciently used by the Venetian painters.

Verdigris.A bright acetate of copper, used as a green pigment.

Verditer(BlueandGreen). A hydrated percarbonate of copper. It is generally prepared by decomposing the solution of nitrate of copper, by the addition of chalk. The refined blue and green verditers, seeCarbonates of Copper(Mountain blue). The verditer known asBremen Greenis produced by subjecting copper to the action of sea salt and vitriol for three months. (Cf.Chrysocolla.)

Veretonus, Med. Lat. TheVireton(q.v.).

Verge, O. E. A rod. In Mediæval Architecture the shaft of a column.

Verge Board, Arch. The external gable-board of a house, which is often elaborately ornamented with carvings. (SeeBarge-Board.)

Vergers(Fr.verge, a staff). Officers who carry a rod or staff of office. In the law courts a white wand, before the judges; in cathedrals, &c., a rod tipped with silver.

Verguilla, Sp. Gold or silver wire, without silk.

Vermeil, Fr. Silver-gilt, or gilt bronze.

Vermiculatum.A kind of pavement disposed in wreathed lines like the undulations of worms (vermes). (SeePavimentum.)

Vermilion.Theminiumof the ancients. A bright and beautiful red colour.

Vermilion.The bisulphuret of mercury in powder, a delicate bright red pigment which ispaleordeep; supposed to be the pigment known to the Romans asminium. (Cf.Cinnabar,Red Lead.)

Vernacle, Chr. A term for theVera Icon.

Vernation.SeeEstivation.

Vernis-Martin Work.A Japanese style of painting and enamelling on furniture, carriages, and small objects, named after the introducer, who was born about 1706.

Vernon Gallery, founded in 1847 by the gift of Mr. Robert Vernon of 157 pictures of the British school, is now in the South Kensington Museum.

Verona Green.A variety ofGreen Earth(q.v.). (SeeAppianum.)

Verona Serge.A thin textile fabric, made of worsted, or mohair, and of cotton.

Veronese Green.(SeeCarbonate of Copper.)

Veronica.(SeeVera Icon.)

Vert, Her. Green, represented in engraving by lines sloping downwards from left to right.

Vert bleu, Fr. (SeeVerde Azurro.)

Verticillus, R. (verto, to turn). The whorl of a spindle, a small disk of wood, stone, or metal, by means of which a rotary movement is given to the spindle. (Cf.Turbo.)

Veru, R. Literally, a roasting-spit made of wood and with an iron point. The term was also applied to a weapon of Samnite origin used by the Roman infantry, and bearing much resemblance to a spit. (2) An arrow or dart. (Fr.vire.)

Veruculum, R. (dimin. ofveru). A small javelin used by the Roman infantry.

Vervels,Varvals, Her. Small rings.

Vesara, Hind. A Hindoo temple built on a circular plan.

Fig. 684. Vesica Piscis.

Vesica Piscis(in Italian,mandorla, almond). The oblong glory surrounding the whole person of Our Lord, or the Virgin, or saints ascending into heaven. Thesealsof abbeys, colleges, and other religious establishments were all of this form. (See Fig.684.) It is in form symbolical of the monogramἴχθυς. (seeAcrostic.)

Vespæ,Vespillones, R. The bearers of a bier in a funeral were so called by the common people, because they came to fetch the bodies in the evening (vespertino tempore).

Vespers, Chr. In the Roman Church, the afternoon service; in the English Church, Evening Prayer.

Vessets.A kind of cloth.

Vest, O. E. “A wide garment reaching to the knees, open before, and turned up with a facing or lining, the sleeves turned up at the elbows.” (Randle Holme, 1683.)

Vestalia, Gr. and R. Festivals in honour of Vesta. Asses were driven through Rome, carrying wreaths of flowers and rolls.

Vestals, R. The priestesses of the goddess Vesta, to whom the charge was committed of the sacred fire. They were originally four, subsequently six in number. Their distinctive dress was theinfulafitting close to the head, withvittædepending, a long tunic of white linen, and the purpleTOGA, or mantle, with a long train to it.

Vested, Her. Clothed.

Vestibule, Arch. An entrance-court or vacant space before the entrance to a house, temple, or other building. (SeeDomus.)

Vestment, Chr. The hangings of an altar, and the robes of the clergy; the term often comprises also the sacred vessels.

Vestry, Chr. The modernvestiariumin a church; called also theSacristy.

Vethym, orVathym, O. E. A fathom—six feet.

Vettura, It. (Fr.voiture). A travelling carriage.

Vexillatio, R. Troops under onevexillum; and thence the troops of the allies.

Vexillum, R. A cavalry standard consisting of a square piece of woollen cloth spread upon a cross. (SeeSigna Militaria.)

Vexillum Regale, Med. Lat. The Royal Standard.

Via, R. The high road. These were so constructed by the Romans that following generations used them without repair for more than a thousand years. The earliest was theAppianor theGreat South Roadfrom Rome to Brindisi, madeB.C.312; theGreat North Roadcontinued through Gaul was theFlaminian Road. The construction of a Roman road was the following:—between trenches thirteen to fifteen feet apart, thegremiumor foundation was made firm, if necessary, in a marsh, with piles; this was covered with large stones of a regulated size, such as London streets were formerly paved with (statumen), and this with macadamized stones cemented with lime (rudus), rammed down hard, and nine inches thick; then came small shards of pottery, six inches thick, also cemented with lime (nucleus), and over this the pavement of large blocks of the hardest stone (seeSilex), irregular, but fitted and joined with the greatest nicety, and perfectly smoothed with a slope for drainage.

Viaticum, R. A provision for a journey. Adopted by the Christian Church in reference to the last offices of religion to the dying, with the obvious symbolical significance.

Vibia, R. A cross-bar and uprights forming a trestle.

Vibrella, Med. Lat. A cannon.

Vices.The sevenVicescommonly met with in Christian allegory are: Anger, Avarice, Envy, Lust, Pride, Revenge, and Sloth.

Vicessis, R. Twenty pounds weight = 14·987 lbs. avoirdupois.

Victima, R. The animals used for sacrifices were mostly domestic; as bulls, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, or horses; each god had his favourite animals. The head of the victim was generally strewed with roasted barley meal, mixed with salt, and adorned with garlands, and sometimes its horns were gilt. A bunch of hair was cut from its forehead and thrown into the fire asprimatiæ. It was killed by a person called thepopa, not by the priests; and part of the intestines were burned, or to river-gods, thrown into the river, &c.

Fig. 685. Victoria Cross.

Victoria Crossis of bronze, and was instituted by the Queen in 1856 to render honour to “conspicuous bravery” in actual conflict by sea or land. It is worn on the left breast attached to a blue ribbon for the Navy, and a red for the Army.

Fig. 686.

Victoriatus, R. A silver coin stamped with a figure of Victory, while its obverse represented a bearded Jupiter. (Fig.686.)

Fig. 687. Victory. Device of Martin, King of Aragon.

Victoryis represented by the ancients winged, and bearing apalmbranch and alaurelcrown. Fig.687is the beautiful device adopted by Martin, King of Aragon, in 1396, with the motto, “Not in the Darkness.”

Vicuna.A kind of alpaca wool.

Vicus, R. (Gr.κώμη). A quarter in a city.

Vidrecome, Fr. A large drinking-glass.

Vielle, Fr. The “hurdy-gurdy,” an ancient stringed instrument played with finger-keys, and producing sound by the friction of a wheel instead of a fiddle-bow.

Vienna Lake.(SeeCarminated Lakes.)

Vienna White.(SeeCarbonate of Lead.)

Vigessis, R. (SeeVicessis.)

Vignette(Fr. alittle vine). A small woodcut or illustration on a page. In Architecture, a running ornament of leaves and tendrils, common in the hollow mouldings of Gothic Architecture; especially in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles. (Parker.)

Vihuela.A musical instrument, represented in the celebrated Portico della Gloria of Santiago da Compostella, in Spain. It closely resembles theRebec(q.v.).

Villa, R. A Roman farmstead or country house. It was divided into three distinct parts: theurbana, or house of the owner; therustica, or farm building in which the slaves and animals lived; and thefructuariaor magazine for storing the produce.

Villicus, R. A gardener. (SeeHortus.)

Vimana, Hind. A Hindoo temple consisting merely of a building in the form of a pyramid, allowing of several stories which recede one above the other. Vimanas are divided into five groups: the medium vimana, calledsantiaca; the victorious (pantica), the enormous (jayada), the admirable (atb’ huta), and the amiable (sarvacama).

Vina, Hind. A kind of Hindoo lyre furnished with a small number of strings.

Vinalia.Roman festivals of two kinds—urbanandrustic. The former were kept on 23rd April, when the wine of the previous year was first broached; therusticon 19th August, when the vintage opened by the priest solemnly plucking the first bunch of grapes, after a sacrifice of lambs to Jupiter.

Vinatico.A coarse mahogany wood, obtained in Madeira, fromPersea Indica.

Vinculum, R. (vincio, to bind). A general term to denote anything that binds, fastens, or clasps; such as a string, lace, ribbon, chaplet, or garland, strap, dog or slave-collar, manacles, fetters. (SeeAmentum,Collare,Compes,Corona, &c.)

Vindiciæ(vindico, to claim). A fragment of any property under dispute which, under the old Roman jurisprudence, the plaintiff was compelled to bring before the court and to place beneath his foot while stating his case; if the property in question were a flock, thevindiciæconsisted of a tuft of wool; if an estate or field, of a clod or turf taken from the said estate or field.

Vindicta, R. (vindico, to deliver). The rod with which the prætor or his lictor struck a slave on the head in the ceremony ofmanumissio, by way of declaration that he was free. (SeeFestuca.)

Vine.(SeeVitis.)

Vine Black.Ink used in copper-plate printing; prepared from the charred husks of grapes and the residue of the vine press.

Vinea, R. (lit. a bower of vine-branches). Thevineæ, also called under the emperorscausiæ, were a kind of mantelets or sheds employed in siege operations, made of light timbers covered with planks and the skins of animals.

Vinum Saccatum.(SeeCollum Vinarium.)

Viol.(SeeFiddle.)

ViolaorAlto-viola. Atenorviolin; tuned an octave above thevioloncello. It is larger than the ordinary violin and has four gut strings, of which the third and fourth are covered with silver-plated copper wire. Its name in the ancient “set of viols” wasviola di braccio.

Fig. 689. Viola da Gamba.

Viola da Gamba.An instrument closely resembling the modern violoncello. (See Fig.689.)

Viola d’Amore, It. An obsolete species of violin producing a very sweet and peculiar tone by an arrangement of metal wires vibrating in unison with the gut strings.

Violetis a combination of equal red and blue. It is complementary to yellow. In Christian art, the colour violet or the amethyst, signified love and truth, or passion and suffering.

Violet Wood.A turnery wood of Guiana, the produce ofAndira violacea.

Violin.This instrument has three gut strings, and a fourth of silver wire. Theback,neck,sides, andcirclesare generally made of sycamore; thebelly,bass-bar,sound-post, and sixblocks, of deal; thefinger-boardandtail-pieceof ebony. The Hindus claim the invention of thebow, for a period about 3000 yearsB.C.(SeeFiddle.)

Violoncello.A large and deep-toned instrument of theviolkind, the two lowest strings being covered with silver wire.

Violone, It. Contre-basso or double bass; the largest instrument of the violin kind.

Virago Sleeves.A fashion of ladies’ dress in the reign of Charles I., perpetuated in the bishop’s sleeves.

Vire, Fr. A barbed arrow, used with the early cross-bow.

Vireton, It. A peculiar form of arrow, the feathers in which are spirally arranged to produce a spinning movement in its flight.

Virga, R. A general term for any kind of rod or wand; as, for instance, a riding-whip; a switch for chastising children or slaves; a very slight stick carried by a lictor to aid him in opening a way through the crowd for the magistrate before whom he walked.

Virgatus, R. Striped; a term applied to cloth or drapery ornamented with bands (virgæ), or to anything plaited with twigs of osier, such as a basket.

Fig. 690. Virginal. 16th century.

Virginal.A musical instrument which originated in the middle ages. A specimen of the time of Elizabeth, in the form of a miniaturepianoforte, is in the South Kensington Museum. (Fig.690.) It was followed by theSpinet(q.v.).

Virginsare usually represented soberly robed with long hair streaming down their backs. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins is a very common subject of mediæval sculpture and church decoration.

Viria, R. A very ancient term replaced byArmilla(q v.).

Viridarium, R. An ornamental garden. (SeeHortus.)

Virtu, Fr. The quality of rareness, or art excellence sought in the selection of specimens of art-work by aVirtuoso.

Virtues.A degree of the second order ofAngels. They are usually represented in complete armour bearing pennons and battle-axes. TheCardinalvirtues are: Power, Prudence, Temperance, and Justice; and theTheologicalvirtues are: Faith, Hope, and Charity. There are innumerable other virtues variously represented in Christian allegory, opposed to correspondingVices.

Virtuoso, It. A man skilled in the selection of specimens of art-work.

Fig. 691. Viscount’s Coronet.

Viscount(vice-comes). The fourth degree of rank and dignity in the British peerage. Originally an earl’s deputy in his county, made an arbitrary title of honour, next in rank to an earl, by Henry VI. in 1440. A viscount’s mantle is two doublings and a half of plain fur. His coronet, granted by James I., has only a row of sixteen pearls set close to the circlet.

Vise, Arch. A spiral staircase. (SeeNewel.)

“Vyce, a tourning stayre,vis.” (Palsgrave.)

Visitation, Chr. (It.La visitazione; German,die Heimsuchung Mariä). A frequent theme of Christian art, representing the meeting of the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. (ConsultMrs. Jameson’s Legends of the Madonna.)

Visor.The part of a helmet made to cover the face. (SeeUmbril.)

Vitis,Vine, R. and Chr. A vine or vine-branch with which a centurion punished any soldier who had neglected his duty. In Christian symbolism, the vine-stock with clusters of grapes is an emblem of the Church. Representations of it are frequently met with on monuments of Christian art.

Vitreous Wares.Wares having a glassy surface. (SeePottery.)

Vitro di Trino(Ital.). An ornamental glass-work invented by the Venetians in the 15th century, consisting of a sort of lace-work of white enamel or transparent glass, forming a series of diamond-shaped sections; in the centre of each an air-bubble was allowed to remain as a decoration. (Fairholt.)

Vitrum, R.Glass(q.v.).

Vitruvian Scroll, Arch. A name given to a peculiar pattern of scroll-work, consisting of convolved undulations, used in classical architecture. (Parker.)

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