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

Corazza, O. E. A cuirass.

Corbel, Arch. A projecting bracket supporting a pier, cornice, or column.

Corbel Steps, Arch. Steps into which the outlines of a gable are sometimes broken; also called Corbie Steps.

Corbel Table. A term in mediæval architecture, applied to a projecting course and the row of corbels which support it.

Corbie, Scotch. A raven; hence a “corbie messenger,” one that is long upon his errand, like the raven sent from the ark, who returned not again.

Corbie Steps. (See Corbel Steps.)

Corbis, R. A wicker basket of conical shape, used especially for agricultural purposes. A similar basket in every-day use in parts of Italy is still called “la corbella.” Cf. the German “Korb.”

Corbita, R. A merchantman of the larger class, so called because it hung out a basket at the masthead. These vessels were also called onerariæ.

Corbona Ecclesiæ, Chr. The treasure of a church, accumulated from the offerings of communicants at the Sacrament. The Greek synonym for this term is gazophylacium.

Corbula. Dimin. of Corbis (q.v.).