Fig. 206. Crescent.
Crescent, Her. The difference of the second son. The moon is a crescent when she appears as in Fig. [206]. (Compare Decrescent, Increscent.)
Cresolite, O. E. Crystal.
Crespine, Fr. A network to confine the hair of ladies; the calantica of the ancients. It is found in mediæval monuments in a variety of forms.
Cressets. A small pan or portable fireplace, filled with combustibles, used for illuminating purposes; 16th century. Her., a beacon. (See Fig. [54].)
Crest, Arch, (crista). A running ornament, more or less incised and perforated, which is placed on the ridge of roofs. Many monuments of antiquity have been adorned with terra-cotta crests; in the Romano-Byzantine architecture examples occur which are made of stone, while in Pointed or Renaissance art they were made of lead.
Fig. 207. Royal crest of England.
Crest, Her. (Lat. crista). This word, familiar to us as the name of an ornament surmounting the helmet and the insignia of a gentleman of coat armour, signified in classic times a comb terminating in a peak in front of the casque decorated with horsehair or plumes. (See Crista, Fig. [252].) The earliest appearance of a crest in England is on the second seal of Richard I. Fig. [207] illustrates the manner in which the crest is worn upon the royal crown of England. Crests are not worn by ladies, excepting by the Sovereign. (See Panache.)