Fig. 14. Point d’Alençon.
Alençon, Point d’. Lace formerly known as Point de France. It is the only French lace not made on the pillow, but worked entirely by hand with a fine needle, on a parchment pattern; it is called “Vilain” in the French provinces, and in England is known as needle point. (Fig. [14].)
Alerion, Her. An eagle, in early Her., represented without feet or beak. (See Eagle.)
Ale-stake. In the middle ages the roadside ale-house was distinguished by a stake projecting from the house, on which some object was hung for a sign.
Alexandrinum (opus), R. A kind of mosaic employed especially for the pavement of rooms. The distinctive feature of these mosaics is that the lines or figures composing the designs are in two colours only, the prevailing ones being red and black upon a white ground. A large number of mosaics of this description exist at Pompeii, which are also called sectilia.
Alexikakos (Apollo). Another name of the celebrated statue generally called the Belvedere Apollo; from Nero’s villa at Antium.
Algaroth powder. An ingredient in the manufacture of an Antimony white pigment.
Fig. 15. Alhambraic ornament.