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. 262. Plan of a Roman house.

Of a Roman house, the principal parts were the Vestibulum, or court before the door, open to the street; the Ostium, Janua, or Fores, the entrance; the Atrium, Cavum Ædium, or Cavædium, with the Compluvium open over the central tank (termed the Impluvium); the Alæ (wings), Tablinum, Fauces, and Peristylium: of each of which a notice will be found in its alphabetical place in this work. (See also Cubicula, Triclinia, Exedræ, Pinacotheca, Bibliotheca, Balneum, Culina, Cœnacula, Diæta, Solaria, &c.) The floors of a Roman house were either of the composition called Ruderatio, and, from the process of beating down pavita, were then called Pavimentum, or of stone or marble or mosaics (Musivum opus). The inner walls were usually covered with frescoes. The ceilings left the beams visible, which supported the roof, and the hollow or unplanked spaces (Lacunaria or Laquearia) were often covered with gold and ivory, or with paintings. (See Camara.) The principal apartments had no windows, deriving their light from the roof; in the upper stories there were windows either open or latticed, or later filled with mica, and finally glass.

Fig. 263. Atrium with Doric columns. (See also Fig. [49].)

Don Pottery. A name given to the productions of a porcelain manufactory established in 1790 at Swinton on the Don.

Fig. 264. Donjon.

Donjon, Mod. The principal tower of a Norman or mediæval castle. It was generally separate from the other parts of the building. The greater number of feudal fortresses originally consisted merely of a donjon erected on an artificial earthwork. This donjon was surrounded by an open space walled, called the Inner Bailey, and another beyond called the Outer Bailey. Beneath were the dungeons. Fig. [264] represents a donjon called the Tower of Loudun. The White tower is the donjon of the Tower of London.

Doom. In Christian art, the Last Judgment; a subject usually painted over the chancel arch in parochial churches.

Dorelot. A network for the hair, worn by ladies in the 14th century. (See Calantica, Crespine, &c.)