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

Fig. 257. Gallic hatchet.

Dolabra, R. (dolo, to hew). An instrument like a pick or hatchet, which varied in form according to the different purposes for which it was employed. The dolabra was used for digging, cutting, breaking, and chopping, and was thus a pick, a hatchet, an adze or ascia, &c. Dolabra of flint or other hard stone, called Celts, are of remote antiquity. (See Celt.) (Figs. 255 to 257.)

Doliolum. Dimin. of Dolium (q.v.).

Dolium or Culeus, Gr. and R. A large earthenware vessel with a wide mouth, and of rounded, spherical form. It was used to contain wine and oil when first made, before they were transferred into smaller vessels for keeping.

Fig. 258. Dolmen.

Dolmen, Celt. A term which, in the Celtic language, means literally a stone table. It consists of a number of stones, of which some are fixed in the ground, and the others laid transversely over them. These structures were used as sepulchres. Figs. 258 and 259 represent two different types of dolmens. (See Cromlech.)

Fig. 259. Dolmen, in the forest of Rennes.