E.
Fig. 274. Eagle—Ensign of France.
Eagle, Her. The eagle (called in heraldry Alerion) appears in the earliest English examples of arms, and his appearance often denotes an alliance with German princes. Both the German emperors and Russian czars adopted the eagle for their heraldic ensign in support of their claim to be considered the successors of the Roman Cæsars. The eagle borne as the ensign of Imperial France sits, grasping a thunderbolt, in an attitude of vigilance, having its wings elevated, but the tips of the feathers drooping, as they would be in a living bird. In remote antiquity the eagle was an emblem of the sun, and the double-headed eagle typifies the rising and the setting sun. The eagle was the attribute of Jove as his messenger. The eagle killing a serpent or a hare is an ancient symbol of victory. In Christian art the eagle is the attribute of St. John the Evangelist, the symbol of the highest inspiration. St. John is sometimes represented with human body and eagle head. The lectern in Christian churches is commonly in the form of an eagle. Elisha the prophet is represented with a two-headed eagle. (See Aquilæ.)
Fig. 275. Earl’s coronet.
Earl, Her. (from the Gaelic iarflath, “a dependent chief” = iar, “after,” and flath, “lord”; pronounced iarrl). Before 1337 the highest, and now the third degree of rank and dignity in the British peerage. An earl’s coronet has eight lofty rays of gold rising from the circlet, each of which supports a large pearl, while between each pair of these rays there is a golden strawberry-leaf. In representation five of the rays and pearls are shown. Elevated clusters of pearls appear in an earl’s coronet as early as 1445; but the present form of the coronet may be assigned to the second half of the following century.
Earl Marshal. In England, one of the great officers of state, who regulates ceremonies and takes cognizance of all matters relating to honour, arms, and pedigree.
Early English Architecture. The first of the pointed or Gothic styles of architecture used in England. It succeeded the Norman towards the end of the 12th century, and gradually merged into the Decorated at the end of the 13th. Its leading peculiarity is the long narrow lancet window.
Earn, Scotch. An eagle.
Fig. 276. Greek or Etruscan ear-rings in gold.
Ear-rings (Lat. inaures, Gr. ἐνώτια) were a common ornament for ladies in Greece and Rome, and among the early Saxons: they were worn by men during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.
Earth Tables, Arch. The projecting course of stones in a wall, immediately above the surface of the ground, now called the plinth. (Parker.)
Earthenware. (See Pottery.)
Easel (from the German esel, an ass). A frame with movable rest for resting pictures on.
Easel-picture. A small portable picture.
Easter, Chr. (A.S. eastre). From the goddess “Eostur,” whose festival fell in April. The Latin name “Paschal” refers to the Jewish feast of the Passover. The Paschal season originally extended over fifteen days, from Palm Sunday to Low Sunday. (See Smith and Cheetham’s Dict. of Christian Ant.)
Eaves (A.S. efese, the edge). The overhanging “edge” of the roof of a house.
Ebénistes, Fr. Workers in fine cabinet-making.
Ebony. A heavy, hard, black wood, obtained from the Diospyrus ebenus. Ebony and other exotic woods came into general use in Europe from the end of the 17th century—subsequently to 1695, when the Dutch settled in Ceylon. The black ebony is the most valuable, but there are green and yellow varieties. Old carved ebony furniture found in English houses dates generally from the early years of the Dutch occupation of Ceylon.
Eburnean. Made of ivory.
Ecbasios (ἐκβαίνω, to disembark). A sacrifice offered to Apollo after a favourable voyage.
Ecclesia, Gr. General assembly of the citizens of Athens. (See Smith and Cheetham’s Dict. of Christian Ant.)
Echea, Gr. and R. (ἦχος, sound or noise). Earthenware or bronze vessels used to strengthen the sound in theatres. (See Acoustic Vessels.)
Echinate. Armed with spines or bristles like a hedgehog.
Fig. 277. Echinus or egg and tongue on the ovolo of a Greek cornice.
Echinus, Arch. (Gr. ἐχῖνος, a hedgehog). The egg and dart or egg and tongue ornament frequently carved on the round moulding, much used in classic architecture, called the ovolo. (Fig. [277].)
Echometry (μέτρον, a measure). The art of measuring the duration of sounds.
Ecorchée, Fr. (lit. flayed). Said of an anatomical model specially prepared for the study of the muscular system.
Ecphonesis, Chr. That part of a devotional office which is said audibly, in contrast with that said secreté.
Ectypus, R. A hollow mould which produces an impression in relief which is called ectypum.
Fig. 278. Ecuelle, Venetian porcelain.
Ecuelle, Fr. A porringer. Fig. [278] is a specimen in the best style of Venetian porcelain.
Edward-Shovelboards, O. E. Broad shillings of Edward VI., formerly used in playing the game of shovelboard. (Halliwell.)
Effeir of War, Scotch. Warlike guise.
Effigies, R. An image or effigy. The word is usually applied to the heads upon coins or medals.
Egg and Dart, or Egg and Tongue, Ornament, Arch. (Fr. aards et oves). A carving commonly inserted on the ovolo moulding. (See Echinus.)
Egg-feast or Egg-Saturday, O. E. The Saturday before Shrove Tuesday.
Egg-shell Porcelain. A very thin white porcelain of the “Rose family,” to which the Chinese have given the name of “porcelain without embryo.”
Eggs, as a Christian emblem, are supposed to represent “the immature hope of the resurrection.” (Martigny.)
Egret (Fr. aigrette). A small white heron, marked by a crest on his head.
Egyptian Architecture and Sculpture can be studied in the monuments remaining from remotest antiquity to about A. D. 300. Great varieties of style occur, which can be easily attributed to their respective periods by the hieroglyphical inscriptions. The three primitive motives of all Egyptian buildings are the pyramid, caves, and structures of timber; all contemporary with the most ancient relics. In sculpture, the most ancient works of all are also those most remarkable for fidelity to nature. The conventionality introduced afterwards with the canon of proportions is still combined with a close imitation of Nature in the details. The Grecian or Ptolemaic period begins B.C. 322. [See Wilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians, Canina’s Egyptian Architecture; and the works of Brugsch, Marriette, Soldi, Ebers, &c.]
Egyptian Blue, the brilliant blue pigment found on the monuments, is found by analysis to consist of the hydrated protoxide of copper, mixed with a minute quantity of iron. The green colour was derived from another oxide of copper; violet from manganese or gold; yellow from silver, or perhaps iron; and red from the protoxide of copper.
Fig. 280. Lenticular Phials. Louvre Museum.
Fig. 279. Oviform bottle. Egyptian.
Egyptian Pottery of great beauty is found in great quantities along with the costly ornaments in the tombs. It is intermediary between porcelain and stone-ware, and its colouring demonstrates a high degree of skill, science, and precision of execution. Among the forms frequently found are the oviform, long-necked bottles (Fig. [279]), lenticular phials, with royal cartouches (Fig. [280]), lamps (Fig. [281]), &c. (See also Fig. [219].)
Fig. 281. Lamp in blue enamelled earthenware. Egyptian.
Eikon, Gr., or Icon, Lat. An image; hence iconoclasts or image-breakers.
Eileton, Chr. (from εἴλω, to wind or fold). The cloth on which the elements are consecrated in the Eucharist. “The eileton represents the linen cloth in which the body of Christ was wrapped when it was taken down from the cross and laid in the tomb.” (Germanus).
Eisodos, Chr. A ceremony of the Greek Church, of two parts. (1) The bearing into the church in procession of the book of the Gospels is called the Lesser Entrance. (2) A similar bearing in of the elements of the Eucharist is called the Greater Entrance.
Elæolite (lit. oil-stone). A mineral having a fatty resinous lustre.
Elæothesium, Gr. and R. A room in a suite of baths where oils, perfumes, and essences were kept, and the bathers were anointed and rubbed.
Elaphebolia, Gr. Athenian festivals held in the month called Elaphebolion, or the ninth month of the year, when a stag (ἔλαφος) was sacrificed to Diana.
Elbow-gauntlet. A long gauntlet of plate armour, adopted from the Asiatics in the 16th century.
Elbow-pieces (Fr. coudières). Plate armour to cover the joint at the elbow.
Elbows, Mod. (Fr. accoudoirs). The divisions between the stalls in a church, also called by the French “museaux,” from the fact of their ends being ornamented with an animal’s head.
Electoral Bonnet, Her. A cap of crimson velvet guarded with ermine, borne over the inescutcheon of the arms of Hanover from 1801 to 1816.
Electrotint. A method of preparing engraved copper plates for the printing-press by the electrotype process. (See Art Journal, 1850.)
Electrotype. The process whereby works in relief are produced by the agency of electricity, through which certain metals, such as gold, silver, and copper, are precipitated from their solutions upon moulds in so fine a state of division as to form a coherent mass of pure metal, equal in toughness and flexibility to the hammered metals. (Fairholt.) At the present day electrotypes are generally taken from engravings on wood for printing from.
Electrum (ἤλεκτρον). In Homer and Hesiod this word means amber. Pliny says that when gold contains a fifth part of silver, it is called electrum. Its colour was whiter and more luminous than that of gold, and the metal was supposed to betray the presence of poison. Specimens are rare. A beautiful vase of electrum is preserved in the St. Petersburg Museum. Some coins in electrum were struck by the kings of Bosporus, and by Syracuse and some Greek states.
Elements, Chr. The bread and the wine in the Lord’s Supper. In the Eastern liturgies the unconsecrated elements are called “the Mysteries,” and the bread alone the Seal (σφραγὶς), from its being divided by lines in the form of a cross. The interesting subject of the composition and form of the elements in the early churches is fully discussed in the “Dictionary of Christian Antiquities” (Smith and Cheetham).
Elemine. A crystallized resin used to give consistency to the varnish which forms part of the composition of lacquer.
Elenchus, R. (ἔλεγχος). (1) A pear-shaped pearl highly esteemed by the Roman ladies, who wore such pearls mounted as drops or pendants to brooches and rings. (See the illustration to Crotalium.) (2) An index to a book.
Elephant. In mediæval heraldry this animal is a symbol of piety, from an ancient legend, mentioned by Ælian, Pliny, and others, that it has in religious reverence, with a kind of devotion, not only the stars and planets, but also the sun and moon.
Elephant Paper. Drawing-paper manufactured in sheets, measuring 28 inches by 23. Double Elephant Paper measures 40 inches by 26¾.
Eleusinian Mysteries. The holiest and most venerated of the Greek festivals. The Lesser Eleusinia, held at Agræ in the month Anthesterion, were a preparation for the Greater, which were celebrated at Athens and Eleusis. The Mystæ were the initiated at the Lesser, of which the principal rite was the sacrifice of a sow, previously purified by washing in the Cantharus. The Greater were celebrated every year in the month Boedromion, and lasted nine days. On the first day the Mystæ assembled at Athens; on the second they went through a ceremony of purification at the sea-coast; the third was a day of fasting; on the fourth there was a procession of a waggon drawn by oxen, followed by women who had small mystic cases in their hands; on the fifth, or torch day, the Mystæ went in the evening with torches to the temple of Demeter, where they passed the night; on the sixth, which was the most solemn of all, a statue of Iacchos, the son of Demeter, was borne in procession to Eleusis, and the Mystæ were there initiated in the last mysteries during the following night. There was something in the secrets of this part of the ceremony which excited greatly the imagination of the ancient writers, especially Christians, who describe them “in an awful and horrible manner.” Each of the initiated was dismissed by the mystagogus with the words κόγξ, ὄμπαξ. On the next day they returned to Athens, and resting on the bridge of Cephisus engaged in a contest of ridicule with the passers-by: the eighth and ninth days were unimportant.
Eleutheria. A Greek festival in honour of Zeus Eleutherios (the Deliverer).
Elevati of Ferrara. One of the Italian literary academies. Their device was from the fable of Hercules and Antæus, with the motto from Horace, “Superat tellus, sidera donat” (Earth conquers us, but gives us Heaven).
Elevation. (1) In Architecture, &c., a perpendicular plan drawn to a scale. (2) In Christian archæology, the lifting up of the elements at certain points in the Eucharistic service, universally prescribed in the early Oriental liturgies, and introduced into the Western Church with the doctrine of transubstantiation.
Fig. 282. Bas-relief from the frieze of the Parthenon. One of the Elgin Marbles.
Elgin Marbles. Friezes and metopes from the Parthenon at Athens, brought to the British Museum by Lord Elgin. They are adorned with sculptures in relief; those on the frieze represent the Panathenaic procession in honour of Athena; those on the metopes, chiefly the contests of the Centaurs and Lapithæ. There are also statues and friezes, especially from the temple of the Wingless Victory and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. They are admirably described by Mr. Newton in his “Guide” to these sculptures published by the authorities of the British Museum. (Fig. [282].)
Fig. 283. Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, Queen. The costume and the royal appurtenances of this monarch are well illustrated by the Royal Seal. In the Royal Arms we see the lions and the lilies (France modern and England quarterly). On the reverse (Fig. [284]) the Tudor Rose, fleur-de-lis, and harp appear separately crowned for England, France, and Ireland. Elizabeth was fond of allegory and devices. In her portrait by Zoffany “the lining of her robe is worked with eyes and ears, and on her left sleeve is embroidered a serpent—all to imply wisdom and vigilance.” In her other hand is a rainbow with the motto, “Non sine sole iris” (no rainbow without the sun).
Fig. 284. Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth.
Elizabethan. The style of architecture and decoration gradually developed during the reign of the Tudors in England. Its characteristics are a mixed revival of classical forms with quaint and grotesque relics of the Gothic. Typical examples are Crewe Hall, Speke, in Lancashire, Haddon Hall, Kenilworth Castle, Raglan Castle, &c.
Ellipsis, Ellipse. A figure formed by cutting a cone obliquely across its length; hence—
Ellipsograph. An instrument for describing a semi-ellipse.
Ellotia or Hellotia. A Corinthian festival with a torch-race, in honour of Athena as a goddess of fire.
Ellychnium, R. (λύχνος, a light). The wick of an oil lamp; it was made of flax fibres or papyrus.
Emarginated. Having the margin broken by a notch or notches.
Embalming was frequently practised by the early Christians, especially with the bodies of martyrs. The practice was derived from the Jews. As a pagan ceremony embalming was intended to facilitate cremation.
Embalon, Gr. and R. A beak, corresponding to the modern ram, under the bows of a war galley, for the purpose of sinking the enemy.
Embas, Gr. A shoe of white felt, used esp. by the Bœotians.
Ember Days, Chr. (in Anglo-Saxon, ymbren dagas, “recurrent days;” in Latin, jejunia quatuor temporum; in French, les quatre temps, &c.). Special fasts appointed to be observed at the commencement of each of the four seasons of the year. In the Eastern Church there is no trace of such an observance. (The word has no connexion with embers in the sense of ashes.)
Emblazon, Her. (See Blazon.)
Fig. 285. Emblemata.
Emblemata, Gr. (ἐμβάλλω, to put in). Inlaid-work, or (1) Mosaic made of coloured cubes of glass or vitreous enamel. (See Sectile, Tessellatum, Vermiculatum.) Fig. [285] represents emblemata of different kinds of glass. (2) Crusts exquisitely wrought on the surface of vessels or other pieces of furniture; as, for instance, alabaster on marble, gold on silver, silver on bronze. The Romans generally used the term crustæ for this kind of work. From Emblemata is derived our word Emblem, the true meaning of which is “a symbolical figure or composition which conceals an allegory.” Thus an ape symbolized malice and lust; a pelican piety, and the Redeemer’s love for the world. &c. The most important books of Emblems are by Alciati, Paradin, and Sambuco.
Embolismus, Embolis, or Embolum, Chr. (1) An inserted or intercalated prayer in a liturgy. (2) The number of days required to make up the lunar year to the solar. (See Epact.)
Embolium, Gr. and R. (lit. something thrown in). An interlude or comic piece recited by an actress (emboliaria) between the acts of a drama.
Embolos, Arch., Chr. A covered portico or cloister surrounding the external walls of a church.
Embolum, Gr. The Greek term answering to the Latin Rostrum (q.v.). (See also Embolismus.)
Embolus, R. (ἔμβολος). The piston in the chamber of a pump.
Embossing, Embossment. A prominence like a boss; raised ornamental work.
Embowed, Her. Bent. An arm embowed has the elbow to the dexter.
Embrasure, Arch. (1) The interval between the COPS of a battlement. (2) An expansion of doorways, windows, &c., given by slanting the sides. (See Splay.)
Fig. 286. Indian Embroidery. In the Indian section of the South Kensington Museum.
Embroidery is one of the oldest of the ornamental arts. Some specimens of ancient Egyptian embroidery are exhibited in the Louvre, and Herodotus mentions the embroidered vestments of the gods in Egypt. The Israelites appointed Aholiab, “a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen,” to be chief embroiderer to the sacred ark. The prophet Ezekiel mentions the embroidery of Tyre. It was the principal domestic occupation of ladies in Greece, from the days when Penelope embroidered a garment for Ulysses, representing a dog chasing a deer. The Romans called embroidery “Phrygium,” and imported it largely from the East. In later times Byzantium was celebrated for its embroidered ecclesiastical vestments. Pope Paschal, in the 9th century, was the greatest patron of the art. When the Caliph Omar pillaged the Persian palace of Khosroes, he found there a carpet of silk and cloth of gold, sixty cubits square, having a garden depicted upon it, and rubies, emeralds, sapphires, beryls, topazes, and pearls arranged with consummate skill to represent trees, fruit and flowers, rivulets, fountains, roses and shrubs. Our English word “embroidery” is derived from the Celtic “brouda,” to prick. Anglo-Saxon embroidery was celebrated throughout Europe as Opus Anglicanum. The celebrated Bayeux tapestry is attributed to the 12th century. A copy of it may be seen in the South Kensington Museum. The art decayed in England during the Civil War of the 17th century.
Embrued, Her. Stained with blood.
Embu. A French term for the loss of tone in an oil sketch, caused by the absorption of the oil whilst it is drying. It is easily corrected by a glaze.
Emerald. A precious stone of various shades of green, much used by the ancients for gem-engraving. The less brilliant varieties are known as beryls. For its significance in Christian art, see Green.
Emerald Green. A vivid bright green pigment, prepared from the arseniate of copper, and used both in oil and water-colours; called also Paul Veronese Green.
Emissarium, R. (emitto, to send forth). A channel, natural or artificial, for letting off stagnant water. Some of these channels are the most wonderful monuments of Roman ingenuity. The lakes of Trasimene, Albano, Nemi, and Fucino were all drained by EMISSARIA. The last is open to inspection, and is described as “a stupendous work of engineering, planned by Julius Cæsar, and completed by the Emperor Claudius.”
Empaistic, Gr. Damascening (q.v.) or in crusta work practised by the ancients, as opposed to Toreutic Art (q.v.).
Emperor Paper. The largest kind of drawing-paper manufactured in sheets measuring 66 inches by 47.
Emphotion, Chr. (from ἐμφωτίζω, to enlighten). A name given in the early Church to the white robe with which persons were invested in baptism; as it were, “a robe of light.”
Emplecton, Gr. and R. (lit. inwoven). A method of building, originating in Greece and adopted by the Romans, in which a space left in the interior of the wall was filled in with rubble, the whole block of masonry being bound together at intervals by ties (diatonoi). In the engraving, c and b are the square stones, the parts between them being the ties or diatonoi, and o the rubble. (See Fig. [249].)
Emporium, Gr. and R. (ἔμπορος, a passenger in a ship). A place at a sea-port where imported merchandise was warehoused and exposed for sale. The remains of the ancient emporium of Rome have been discovered on the banks of the Tiber. The name is sometimes applied to a town, but applies properly only to a certain place in a town.
Enafota or Enafodia, Chr. (Gr. ἐννεάφωτα). A corona or chandelier of “nine lights.”
Enaluron, Her. (See Entoire.)
Fig. 287. Pendant of gold, enamelled and enriched with jewels.
Enamel (Fr. esmail; Ital. smalto). A glassy substance of many brilliant colours, melted and united to gold, silver, copper, bronze, and other metals in the furnace. Enamel is coloured white by oxide of tin, blue by oxide of cobalt, red by gold, and green by copper. Different kinds of enamel are (1) inlaid or incrusted. (2) Transparent, showing designs on the metal under it. (3) Painted as a complete picture. “Many fine specimens of ancient Chinese enamel were seen in the Exhibition of 1851. They have the enamel on copper, beautifully coloured and enlivened with figures of flowers, birds, and other animals. The colouring is most chaste and effective. The Chinese say that no good specimens of this manufacture have been made for the last six or eight hundred years.” (Fortune.) Beautiful transparent enamels are made in India. They look like slices of emerald or sapphire laid in beds of gold, having tiny figures of beaten gold let into their surfaces. (See also Cloisonné, Champ-levé, Basse-taille, &c.) The beautiful example of enamel-work, Fig. [287], is attributed to Benvenuto Cellini. (See Fig. [188].)
Enamel. Painting in enamel is done by means of colours that are vitrifiable, a quality that is communicated to them by combining them with a vitreous base, which is called their flux. These are fused and fixed on the enamel by the action of fire, which produces in the colours applied such changes as the artist has previously learned to calculate. (Bouvier.)
Enamelled Glass. (See Glass.)
Enamelled Wares. (See Glazed Ware.)
Encænia, Chr. A dedication festival.
Fig. 288. Encarpa (Festoons) on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli.
Encarpa, Gr. An architectural decoration formed of festoons or garlands of flowers and fruits (καρποὶ), whence its name. Fig. [288] shows an example from the temple of Vesta at Tivoli.
Encaustic, R. (lit. burning in). The art of painting in encaustic. Pliny says, “The colours were applied with wax on marble, and transparent gum on ivory. Coloured wax was applied to the wall in the form of a paste, and in the manner of mosaic or enamels. This was then melted or fused with hot irons (cauteria), a small fillet of a different tint being inserted between each flat tint.” Fairholt says, “There is no antique painting extant which is properly called ENCAUSTIC; all those supposed to be so have, on closer examination, proved to be in Fresco or in Tempera.”
Encaustic Tiles. Ornamental tiles for floorings, extensively used in the Middle Ages.
Encheirion, Chr. The napkin with which the priest wipes his hands; worn at the girdle.
Encoignure, Fr. A table made with an angle to fit into a corner.
Encolpia, Chr. (lit. worn on the breast, or from the Gr. ἐγκολπίζω, to contain in the womb). (1) Small caskets containing relics or a copy of the Gospels, worn by the early Christians suspended from the neck. (See Epomadion.) Their use is of the highest antiquity, and specimens have been found in the tombs of the ancient cemetery of the Vatican, belonging to the 4th century. These were square in form, having on one side the sacred monogram ΙΧΡ for ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ between the letters Α and Ω. (2) The pectoral crosses worn by bishops are also called encolpia. Reliquaries in the form of a cross are first mentioned by Gregory the Great. He sent one of them to Queen Theodelinda. (Martigny.)
Encomboma, Gr. (i. e. girt on). A Greek apron, tied round the waist, worn chiefly by young maidens and by slaves to keep the tunic clean.
Encyclical Letters. (1) Chr. Letters “sent round” to all who should read them, and not addressed to any particular person (from the members of a council, &c.). (2) Gen. The same words, γράμματα ἐγκύκλια, apply to the subjects which the Greeks included in the “circle of the sciences,” or encyclopædia.
Encysted. Enclosed in a cyst.
Endecagon (ἕνδεκα, eleven; γωνία, an angle). A plane figure having eleven sides and eleven angles.
Endorse, Her. A diminutive of the Pale (q.v.), one-fourth of its width.
Endothys. (See Endytis.)
Endromis, Gr. and R. (δρόμος, a course or running). In Greek this name is given to hunting boots of Cretan origin, such as Diana is represented wearing by the Greek sculptors. Among the Romans the endromis was an ample blanket of coarse wool, introduced from Gaul, in which athletes wrapped themselves when they were heated with the exercises. Endromis Tyria was the name given to a large woollen wrap much finer than the ordinary endromis, and which was worn by the Roman ladies after their gymnastic exercises.
Endytis, Chr. (ἐνδύω, to put on). This term, in the Middle Ages, denoted an altar-covering; other terms for it were endothis and endothys.
Energumens, Chr. Men possessed with devils.
Enfeu, Fr. A sepulchral vault usually placed under the choir of a church; it assumed the form of a large niche. Originally bishops were interred by “droit d’enfeu” in tombs of this kind. The term is derived from the Latin infodere (to dig).
Enfiled, Her. Pierced with the sword.
Engageants, Fr. “Double ruffles that fall over the wrists.” (Ladies’ Dictionary, 1694.)
Engineer’s Cartridge. Drawing-paper manufactured in sheets measuring 30 by 22 inches. Double Engineer’s Cartridge measures 46 inches by 30.
Engobe, Fr. A “slip” or thin coating of white clay used to coat pottery before the invention of the tin glaze.
Engrailed, Her. A border line indented in semicircles.
Engraving. Copper-plate engraving is called Chalcography (q.v.) (Gr. χαλκὸς, copper); wood-engraving, Xylography (q.v.) (Gr. ξύλον, wood); and engraving on stone, Lithography (q.v.) (Gr. λίθος, a stone). [Each process is described under its own heading. See also Etching.]
Enhanced, Her. Raised towards the CHIEF, or upper part of the shield.
Enneapylæ, Pel. (ἐννέα and πύλαι). Literally, nine gates; a fortified enclosure constructed by the Bœotian Pelasgians round the Acropolis of Athens, some years after the Trojan war. Xerxes destroyed the enneapylæ after the capture of Athens. A few fragments of it remain to this day, not far from the temple of the Wingless Victory.
Enotia, Gr. (Lat. inaures). Ear-rings (q.v.).
Enseniator, Med. Lat. (from the Italian insegna, an ensign). A mounted ensign-bearer.
Ensiculus, R. A small sword, or child’s sword, used as a plaything. It is the diminutive of Ensis.
Ensigned, Her. Adorned; having some ensign of honour placed above, as a coronet above a shield.
Figs. 289, 290. Gallic Ensigns.
Ensigns, Gen. (Lat. signa militaria; Gr. σημεῖα). Military symbols beneath which soldiers are ranged according to the different regiments to which they belong. The most ancient Roman ensign was a bundle of straw, hay, or fern. Then came the eagle, the wolf, the minotaur, the horse, and the boar. Afterwards the eagle alone was displayed (B. C. 104); it was made of silver or bronze, with expanded wings. The serpent or dragon was used as a particular ensign by the several cohorts, and the centuries had also each its ensign; but these were cloth flags. Under Constantine the LABARUM (q.v.) was introduced. (See Cuspis, Figs. 228 to 230.)
Fig. 291. Gallic Ensign.
Ensiludium, Med. Lat. A contest in sport with swords. (See Cembel, Hastiludium.)
Ensis, Sword. A synonym of Gladius (q.v.).
Ensis a Estoc, Med. A stabbing-sword, usually carried at the saddle-bow.
Fig. 292. Entablature with leaf ornament.
Entablature. A member of architecture placed as a crown to another. The entablature is composed of architrave, the part immediately above the column; frieze, the central space; and cornice, the upper projecting mouldings. (See Fig. [184].)
Fig. 293. Entablature with honeysuckle ornament.
Entalma, Chr. The document by which a bishop confers the right of hearing confessions.
Fig. 294. Egyptian Column, showing entasis.
Entasis, Gr. and R. (ἔντασις, a stretching tight). The swelling of a balustre or of the shaft of a column. The narrowing of the shaft is called Contractura (q.v.).
Enterclose, Arch. A passage between two rooms in a house.
Enthronisation, Chr. (Lat. incathedrare). (1) The ceremony of placing a newly-ordained bishop upon his throne. (2) That of placing the relics in the altar of a church on consecration. (3) The installation of a presbyter in his church is sometimes called enthronisation.
Entire, Her. Said of a charge when it extends to the border lines of a shield, coat, or banner; also of a shield, coat, or banner of arms, when borne without any difference or mark of cadency.
Entoire, Entoyre, Her. A bordure charged with a series of inanimate figures or devices, as crosslets, roundles, &c. To a similar bordure of living figures the term Enaluron is applied.
Entrance, Chr. (See Eisodos and Introit.)
Entrecoupe, Fr. When two vaults are superimposed, and both spring from the same walls, “entrecoupe” is the term applied to the arched interval—if any—between them.
Enveloped, Environed, Her. Surrounded.
Eolian (Æolian) Harp. A musical stringed instrument arranged to be played upon by the wind (from Eolus [or properly Æolus], the ruler of the winds).
Eolodicon. A musical instrument similar to a harmonium, invented in the last century by Eschenbach.
Eolophone. A musical instrument similar to a harmonium.
Eōra, Gr. (ἐώρα). A festival held at Athens in honour of Icarius and his daughter Erigonê. It was known also by the names of Æora (αἰώρα) and Aletis (Ἀλῆτις). The last appellation originated in a hymn which was sung at the festival, and which had been composed by Theodorus of Colophon. It was sometimes called “Eudeipnos,” from the rich banquets usually given during its celebration.
Epact (Gr. ἐπακταὶ, sc. ἡμέραι; in Med. Lat. adjectiones Lunæ). The number of days required at the end of a lunar year to complete the solar year. (See Embolismus.)
Epagomenæ (sc. days), Gen. (ἐπαγόμεναι ἡμέραι, i. e. intercalated days). The name given to the five supplementary days of the year among those nations who divided the year into twelve months of thirty days each.
Epaullière or Epaullets, Er. Shoulder-plates; also the shoulder-knots formerly worn by gentlemen, but now restricted to domestic servants. (See Aiglet.)
Ependytes, Chr. (ἐπενδύτης, i. e. worn above). The “fisher’s coat” of St. Peter. A coarse cloak worn by the monks of the Middle Ages over another garment; it is also called, in the ancient MSS., superaria, superindum, and sagus rusticus. It is frequently described, especially in the East, as made of skins (μηλωτὴς, pelliceus).
Epergne (Fr. épargne, economy). An ornamental stand, with dish and branches, for the centre of a table.
Epernay Ware. At Epernay were specially made glazed wares in relief for the service of the table, in shapes such as a hare, a fowl, &c., in half relief; also surprise or puzzle jugs.
Epha or Ephah, Heb. A measure of capacity, about 3 pecks and 3 pints.
Ephebeum, Gr. (ἐφηβεῖον). The large hall of a gymnasium, situated in the centre of the building, in which the youths (ephebi) practised gymnastic exercises.
Ephippium, Gr. (ἐφίππιον, i. e. for putting on a horse). A saddle. Among the Greeks and Romans it was a kind of pad, square or round in shape, and regularly stuffed. Saddle-cloths hung from it, but it had no stirrups. The word sella, or sella equestris, became common in later times.
Ephod, Hebrew. A short upper garment worn by the Jewish priests. The ephod, which was also worn by the Jewish judges and kings, was made of fine linen; that of the high priest consisted of a sleeved tunic, woven with gold thread, purple, hyacinth, and twisted flax. Two sardonyx stones set in gold adorned the clasps by which this tunic was fastened round the shoulders.
Epi or Girouette, Fr. The complicated iron ornament with which steeples and pointed roofs were surmounted in the architecture of the Renaissance period, replaced in modern times by the weathercock. A similar spiked ornament, of pottery or metal, is still common on the gables of houses in Normandy.
Epic. In Art, the graphic representation of an “epos,” or event, cardinal in history.
Epichysis, Gr. and R. (ἐπίχυσις, i. e. that which pours in). A Greek pitcher with a long neck and a handle; it was used for pouring wine into cups.
Epicopus, Gr. and R. (ἐπίκωπος, i. e. furnished with oars). A vessel with oars. (See Navis.)
Epicrocum, Gr. and R. A woman’s garment, of a saffron yellow (crocus), whence its name.
Epicycloid. “A curve described by the movement of the circumference of one circle on the convex or concave part of the circumference of another.” (Stormonth.)
Epideipnis, Gr. (i. e. following the dinner). The last course of a dinner or any kind of banquet.
Epidemia, Gr. (lit. among the people). Festivals held at Argos in honour of Juno, and at Delos and Miletus in honour of Apollo. They received their name from the fact that these deities were supposed to be present at them, and to mingle with the people (ἐπὶ, among; δῆμος, people).
Epidote. A mineral of a green or greyish colour: of the garnet family.
Epidromos, Gr. (1) The mizen, or sail on the mast nearest to the stern, in vessels with several masts. (2) A part of the oil-press. (3) A running rope passing through the rings of a large net for catching birds, by means of which the huntsman, who was on the watch, closed the net when the game had found their way into it.
Epigonation, Gr., Chr. An ornament peculiar to the Eastern Church; a lozenge-shaped piece of some stiff material, hanging from the girdle on the right side as low as the knee (whence its name).
Epigrus. (See Epiurus.)
Epiphany, Chr. This festival is known by various names in the different European languages; and the names are either (1) mere reproductions of the Latin name, or renderings of it; or (2) refer to the manifestation to the Magi as the three Kings, as the Dutch Drie-Koningendag, &c.; or (3) indicate it as the final day of the Christmas festivity, Twelfth Day, &c. (See Smith and Cheetham’s Dictionary of Christian Antiquities.)
Epiphi, Egyp. The third month of summer, called the season of harvests.
Epirhedium, R. (ἐπὶ Gr., and rheda Gallic). A kind of chariot. The word was formed by the Romans as above, and is explained as Ornamentum rhedarum, aut plaustrum. (See Rheda, Plaustrum.)
Episcenium, Gr. and R. (ἐπι-σκήνιον, i. e. above the stage). A room situated above the stage, in ancient theatres, for the machinery.
Episcopalia, Chr. The ring and the pastoral staff, the distinctive marks of the authority of a bishop.
Episotron (ἐπί-σωτρον). (See Canthus.)
Epistle Side (of a church). The south side.
Epistomium, R. (στόμα, a mouth). The cock of a vessel or water-pipe, which let out only a little water at a time.
Epistylium, Gr. and R. (ἐπι-στύλιον). An epistyle; literally, on the column (ἐπὶ, on, and στῦλος, a column); that is, the architrave or lower beam of an entablature laid horizontally upon columns. By analogy the term is used to denote the entire Entablature (q.v.).
Epitaph (ἐπιτάφιος). (1) A eulogy pronounced at a funeral. (2) Memorials of art in churches, in remembrance of the dead. (3) Inscriptions on tombs.
Epithalamium, Gr. A nuptial song. A fragment of verses from one of these songs, written by Hesiod, has come down to us.
Epithedes or Sima, Arch. The upper member of the cornice of an entablature.
Epitoga, R. A cloak worn over the toga.
Epitoxis, Gr. and R. That part of the catapult in which the missile was laid.
Epitrachelion, Chr. (i. e. on the neck). The Greek name for the stole. (See Stole.)
Epiurus, R. (ἐπίουρος). A wooden peg used as a nail.
Epoch. A fixed and important period of novelty or change, which gave a new and distinctive character to Art. (Fairholt.)
Epomadion, Gr., Chr. The cord or ribbon by which relics, or crosses (ENCOLPIA), were suspended from the neck.
Eques, R. Generally, any one on horseback, a rider, and by analogy a knight, that is, a patrician or man of distinguished family. Eques alarius was the name given to the cavalry of the allies; eques cataphractus was a knight whose horse, as well as himself, was clad in complete armour; eques extraordinarius were the picked cavalry in the service of the consuls; eques legionarius, eques prætorianus, the prætorian cavalry; eques sagittarius, the mounted archers.
Equipped, Her. Fully armed, caparisoned, or provided.
Equiria, R. (equus). Games instituted by Romulus, and celebrated at Rome in the Field of Mars on the third of the calends of March (27th February). These games, held in honour of Mars, consisted of chariot races. There were two festivals of this name; the second was on the eve of the ides of March (14th March).
Equuleus or Eculeus, R. (lit. a colt, a young horse). This was an instrument of torture on which slaves were placed astride. The law prescribed that all slaves called as witnesses should be examined under torture.
Equus, R. A horse; properly a stallion, as opposed to cauterius, a gelding, and equa, a mare.
Eradicated, Her. Torn up by the roots.
Erased, Her. Torn off with a ragged edge.
Eremites, Gr., Chr. Hermits.
Ergastulum, R. (ἐργάζομαι, to work). A private prison attached to a farm or villa rustica, in which insubordinate and ill-conducted slaves were kept in chains; they were under the superintendence of a gaoler, who was himself a slave, and who was called Ergastularius. Ergastula were built underground, and thus formed subterranean dungeons.
Ergata, Gr. and R. (ἐργάτης, i. e. worker). A strong capstan used for moving heavy weights; among other things, for hauling vessels on shore.
Ericius, R. (lit. hedgehog). A military engine, a cheval-de-frise or long beam studded with iron spikes, whence its name. It was placed across a door or other opening to which it was desired to bar ingress.
Fig. 295. The Ermine. Arms of Anne of Brittany.
Ermine, Ermines, Erminois, Her. The animal, the ermine, sometimes appears in blazon, and an ermine spot is borne as a charge. Generally the ermine is an emblem of royalty, purity, and honour. The illustration (Fig. [295]) is of the arms of Anne of Bretagne, the Queen of Charles VIII.
Erotidia, Gr. (ἐρωτίδια). Festivals held every fifth year at Thespiæ in Bœotia, in honour of Eros, the principal divinity of the Thespians.
Erpa, Egyp. A title in use among the Egyptians implying authority generally; the crown prince was so designated, and the high priest was, in the same manner, called erpa of the priests.
Fig. 296. Escallop.
Escallop or Scallop Shells were emblems worn by pilgrims, and of St. James the Great, from the 13th century.
Escape, Arch, (or Apopyge). The small curvature given to the top and bottom of the shaft of a column where it expands to meet the edge of the fillet above the torus of the base, and beneath the astragal under the capital.
Fig. 297. Escaufaille, or portable brazier.
Escaufaille, Fr. A small portable brazier on wheels, which was taken from room to room as required.
Eschelles, Fr. “A stomacher laced or ribboned in the form of a ladder.” (Ladies’ Dict., 1694.)
Escoinson, Med. Fr. The interior edge of the window-side or jamb. This was often decorated with a pilaster called the “pilastre des écoinsons.”
Escroll, Her. A ribbon charged with a motto; also a ribbon, coiled at its extremities, borne as a charge.
Fig. 298. Escutcheon of the Sforzas.
Escutcheon. (1) The heraldic shield. (2) Metal plates on doors. Escutcheons are abundantly used in Gothic architecture, and are frequently carved on the bosses of ceilings and at the ends of weather mouldings, &c. Sometimes. instead of armorial bearings, escutcheons have the instruments of the Crucifixion or other devices carved on them.
Escutcheon of Pretence, Her. A shield charged upon the field of another shield of larger size, and bearing a distinct coat of arms.
Espadon. A long Spanish sword. It was the weapon used for decapitation of criminals.
Espietus, Expiotus, Med. Lat. A dart (1361).
Espringale, Springale, Espringold. A machine for throwing darts.
Esquire, Her. A rank next below that of knight.
Esseda, Essedum, R. (from the Celtic ess, a carriage). A chariot of Gaulish origin, drawn by two horses, which was used by the Britons and the Germans in war. It was mounted on two wheels, and was open in front, but closed behind. The pole was broad, and the rider used to run to and fro upon it in the battle. The Romans constructed carriages of a similar kind. A similar chariot drawn by one horse was called the cisium. (See Currus.)
Essonite. The cinnamon-stone, a variety of the garnet. It is of a reddish yellow tint, resembling the colour of cinnamon. These stones come principally from Ceylon, and are frequently sold for hyacinths or jacinths, from which, however, they differ in many important peculiarities. (H. Emanuel.)
Este. A manufactory in Italy of soft porcelain; also of fine faience and pipe-clay.
Estivation, Bot. The arrangement of the unexpanded leaves of the flower-bud which burst in Summer; as opposed to Vernation, the arrangement of the leaves of the bud which burst in Spring.
Estoc, Fr. (Med. Lat. estoquum). A short sword worn at the girdle; also called a “tuck” (temp. Elizabeth).
Estoile, Her. A star with wavy rays or points, which are six, eight, or sometimes more in number.
Estrade, Fr., Arch. A platform raised three or four inches above the rest of the floor of a chamber, upon which to place a bed or a throne, &c.
Estrif or Estref, Med. A kind of arrow for the balista.
Etching. In this process the copper plate is covered with an etching-ground, which is a preparation of bees’-wax, Burgundy pitch, black pitch, and asphaltum (or other ingredients); and the lines of the design are traced out with etching-needles, which remove the etching-ground from the copper wherever they pass, and slightly scratch the surface of the plate. Next, a border of banking-wax is put round the sides of the plate, making a trough of it. The banking-wax is made of bees’-wax, common pitch, Burgundy pitch, and sweet oil melted in a crucible and poured into cold water. The next operation is to pour in nitrous acid reduced with water to a proper strength (about one part acid to four parts water). When the acid has been on a sufficient time to corrode the fainter parts of the subject, it is to be poured off, the plate washed with water, and left to dry. These fainter parts are then to be varnished with a mixture called stopping-ground, made of lamp-black and Venice turpentine, applied with a camel’s-hair pencil. This stops the further action of the acid on these parts. When the surface is dry, fresh acid is poured on to bite in the bolder parts, and the processes of stopping and biting-in are alternated for every gradation of tint. The wax is removed from the plate by heat, and cleaned away with a rag moistened with olive oil; and the work is then complete, or it may be finished off with the graver. Etching-points or needles resemble common needles, fixed in handles four or five inches long; some are made oval to produce broader lines. The dry point is only a very fine-pointed needle for the delicate lines. Imitations of chalk and pencil drawings are sometimes produced by etching on soft ground. Etching on steel is done in the same way as on copper. For etching on glass, a ground of bees’-wax is laid on, and the design traced as above. Sulphuric acid is then poured on, and fluor-spar sprinkled on it, or fluoric acid may be at once used; this is allowed to remain four or five hours, and is then removed with oil of turpentine. (See also Stipple, Mezzotinto, Aquatinta.)
Eterea of Padua. One of the Italian literary academies. Their device, a charioteer in his car in the air, drawn by a white and black horse, the one endeavouring to touch the earth, the other to ascend. Motto, “Victor se tollit ad auras.”
Etiolation. The process of blanching to which plants are subject in dark places.
Ettwee. O. E. for Etui (q.v.).
Fig. 299. Etui.
Etui, Fr. (by contraction Twee, Boyer). A case formerly worn at the girdle by ladies. They were made of gold or silver, or ornamented with paintings in enamel. The richly-decorated example represented in Fig. [299] was the property of a granddaughter of Oliver Cromwell.
Euripus, R. (εὔριπος). An artificial canal or watercourse in the gardens of a Roman villa, generally stocked with fish and aquatic or amphibious animals. The same term was applied to a moat dug at the foot of the podium in an amphitheatre or circus, which was intended, in conjunction with the metal railings or trellis-work placed at the top of the podium, as a protection to the spectators, when wild beasts were exhibited in the arena. Euripus is also applied by Tertullian and other authors to the spina of a circus.
Eustyle, Arch. (εὔ-στυλος). An intercolumniation in which the columns are separated by a width of two diameters and a quarter, measured at the lower part of the column, excepting the central intercolumn, which is of three diameters. It is the form of columniation which, according to Vitruvius, satisfied the demands at once of solidity of structure, beauty of appearance, and general harmony of effect.
Euterpean. Pertaining to music: from the Muse Euterpe.
Everriculum, R. (everro, to sweep out). A fishing-net.
Ewery, Med. An office of household service, where the ewers, &c., were kept: our modern scullery.
Exacisculatus, R. Destroyed by means of a pick (acisculus). The term is of frequent occurrence in sepulchral inscriptions, its purpose being to serve as a notice to the thieves who broke into tombs.
Examen, R. (exigo, to examine). The tongue or index on the beam of a balance.
Exasciatus, R. Hewn or fashioned with the adze (ascia); whence the expression opus exasciatum for work which only required to be finished or polished.
Excalceatus, R. (lit. without shoes or boots). A comic actor or comedian who wore sandals. The tragic actor, on the other hand, who wore on the stage the laced boot or cothurnus, was called cothurnatus.
Excubitorium, R. The post or guard of the excubitores; of these there was one in each quarter of the city, or fourteen in all.
Fig. 300. Exedra.
Exedra, Gr. and R. An assembly-room or hall for discussion or conversation, forming part of a gymnasium, palæstra, or private house. In many cases exedræ were in the open air, consisting merely of circular marble benches. (Fig. [300].) When an exedra was covered in, one of the sides often terminated in a circular apse (absis). [Larger rooms were called “Leschai.”]
Exedrium, R. Diminutive of Exedra (q.v.).
Exequiæ. (See Exsequiæ.)
Exergue. The bottom space on a coin, where the date is engraved.
Exiteria, Gr. and R. (ἐξιτήρια, concerning departure or result). Sacrifices offered to propitiate the gods on the eve of an important enterprise, or in gratitude for success.
Exomis, Gr. and R. (ἐξ-ωμὶς, i. e. off the shoulders). A short tunic, of Greek origin, adopted by the Romans. It left the right shoulder and arm exposed, and had only a short sleeve for the left arm. The term was also applied to the pallium, when so arranged upon the person as to resemble the tunic just described.
Exonarthex. (See Narthex.)
Exostra, Gr. and R. (ἐξώστρα). (1) A flying bridge thrown from a movable tower (acrobaticon) on to the walls of a besieged town, by means of which the assailants made their way into the place. (2) A theatrical machine which was pushed to the front of the stage from behind a curtain which concealed it until it was wanted.
Expeditus (opposed to impeditus), R. Free, unencumbered; light-armed troops (velites) were thus called (expediti), [or any other troops, when they left their impedimenta behind for a forced march, &c.]
Expositories. (See Monstrances.)
Exsequiæ, R. (exsequor, to follow after). A funeral conducted with great pomp. (See Funus.)
Extispicium, R. (exta and inspicio, to inspect). Divination by inspection of the entrails of victims sacrificed on the altar; called also haruspicina.
Extra-dos, Arch. The exterior curve of an arch; opposed to the SOFFIT or INTRA-DOS.
Extremities. In Art, the head, feet, and hands: compare acrolithes.
Ex-voto, Gen. Offerings of any kind in fulfilment of a vow (ex voto).
Eye. In Christian art, the emblem of Providence. Attribute of St. Lucia, as a symbol, not of her martyrdom, but of the meaning of her name (“light”). (See Oudja, Oculus.)