An Illustrated Dictionary of Words used in Art and Archaeology / Explaining terms frequently used in works on architecture, arms, bronzes, Christian art, colour, costume, decoration, devices, emblems, heraldry, lace, personal ornaments, pottery, painting, sculpture, &c., with their derivations.

by John W. Mollett

Fig. 149. Chalice, silver-gilt—14th century.

Chalice, Chr. (deriv. from calix, a cup). A sacred vessel used in the celebration of the mass. There were many different kinds, called ministeriales, offertorii, majores, and minores. The ministeriales served to distribute the wine; the offertorii were employed by the deacons to hold the wine offered by the faithful. Lastly, they were distinguished according to their size, as large or small (majores and minores). Vessels called calices were also frequently suspended from the arches of the ciborium, and other parts of the church, as ornaments. In Christian symbolism the chalice and serpent issuing from it are an attribute of St. John the Evangelist.

Chalon, O. E. A coverlet. (Chaucer.)

Chamade, Fr. A beat of drum or trumpet inviting the enemy to a parley.

Chamber Music, as opposed to concert music. Madrigals were probably the earliest specimens of chamber music.

Chambers, O. E. Small cannon for firing on festive occasions.

Chamberyngs, O. E. Bedroom furniture.

Fig. 150. Chameleon and Dolphin.

Chameleon (χαμαὶ, on the ground, and λέων, a lion). In Christian symbolism, the emblem of inconstancy; in Chemistry, manganate of potass is called chameleon from the changes of colour which its solution undergoes. The chameleon with a dolphin on its back (Fig. [150]) was the device of Pope Paul III.