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

Contournée, Her. Facing to the sinister.

Contra, in compound words in music, signifies an octave below: contra-basso, a double bass, &c.

Contra Votum, Chr. (i. e. against one’s desires). A formula of grief, placed by the ancients on tombs, columns, and other sepulchral monuments, and adopted by Christians in the 5th century. (See Acclamations.)

Contractura, R. The tapering of the column, which begins from the upper part of the shaft, and gradually widens as it reaches the base. (See Entasis.)

Contralto, It. In Music, the voice of deepest tone in females, allied to the tenor in men.

Contrapuntal, Mus. Relating to Counterpoint (q.v.).

Contre-imbrications. An ornament cut in the form of fishes’ scales overlapping one another, the scales being indented. In the imbrications they stand out.

Contrepoint, O. E. (See Pourpoint.)

Contubernium, R. (1) A tent capable of accommodating ten soldiers and their corporal (decanus). (2) A dwelling-place, especially for slaves. Hence contubernales came to mean comrades, and generally persons living in intimacy under one roof together.

Contus (κοντὸς), Gr. and R. (1) A punting-pole, used also for taking soundings; each trireme was furnished with three poles of different lengths. (2) A cavalry pike or lance.