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

Cudo, Cudon, R. A skull-cap made of soft leather or furs.

Cuerpo (Span.). Body clothing, i. e. a jacket.

Cufic (characters), Arab. The Cufic is the most ancient form of Arabian writing, and bears a great resemblance to the Syriac writing called estranghelo; it appears to have originated in the city of Cufa or Coufa, whence the name.

Cuirass. (See Cingulum, Lorica, Pectorale, Thorax.)

Cuir-boulli, Fr. Boiled leather, frequently mentioned by mediæval writers. It has lately been revived under the name of impressed leather, and brought to a high state of perfection. (Fairholt.) Hence:—

Cuirbouly, O. E. Tanned leather.

Fig. 223. Cuisse.

Cuisses, Fr. Armour for the thighs, introduced about the middle of the 14th century. In early examples they consisted of one, two, or three pieces of plate overlapping; later on they were formed of one piece only, and finally were finished with a back piece, enclosing the whole of the thigh in armour.

Cuitikins, Cutikins, Scotch. Guêtres, gaiters.