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

Closet, Her. A diminution of the BAR, one half its width.

Cloths of Estate. Costly embroidered hangings for the canopy of a throne.

Clouée, Her. Fastened with nails, and showing the nail-heads.

Clouts. Old name for kerchiefs.

Clown, in pantomime. Harlequin is Mercury, the Clown Momus, and the painted face and wide mouth taken from the ancient masks; Pantaloon is Charon, and Columbine Psyche. (Clarke’s Travels, viii. 104–7.)

Club, Gr. and R. (Gr. φάλαγξ). This weapon being used in close fight gave its name to the compact body of troops so called. The Scythians united it with the mace, both being spiked. Ducange mentions the vulgastus, a crooked club; the plumbata, loaded with lead, the spontonus with iron. In the army of Charles I. rustics untrained were called clubmen. (See Clava.)

Club-kayles, O. E. Skittles played with a club, instead of a ball. (See Cloish.)

Clubs, at cards, are the ancient trèfles, the trefoil or clover-plant. (See Trefle.)

Cluden, Gr. and R. A sword, the blade of which was contrived to recede into the handle. It was used for theatrical representations.