Embossing, Embossment. A prominence like a boss; raised ornamental work.
Embowed, Her. Bent. An arm embowed has the elbow to the dexter.
Embrasure, Arch. (1) The interval between the COPS of a battlement. (2) An expansion of doorways, windows, &c., given by slanting the sides. (See Splay.)
Fig. 286. Indian Embroidery. In the Indian section of the South Kensington Museum.
Embroidery is one of the oldest of the ornamental arts. Some specimens of ancient Egyptian embroidery are exhibited in the Louvre, and Herodotus mentions the embroidered vestments of the gods in Egypt. The Israelites appointed Aholiab, “a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen,” to be chief embroiderer to the sacred ark. The prophet Ezekiel mentions the embroidery of Tyre. It was the principal domestic occupation of ladies in Greece, from the days when Penelope embroidered a garment for Ulysses, representing a dog chasing a deer. The Romans called embroidery “Phrygium,” and imported it largely from the East. In later times Byzantium was celebrated for its embroidered ecclesiastical vestments. Pope Paschal, in the 9th century, was the greatest patron of the art. When the Caliph Omar pillaged the Persian palace of Khosroes, he found there a carpet of silk and cloth of gold, sixty cubits square, having a garden depicted upon it, and rubies, emeralds, sapphires, beryls, topazes, and pearls arranged with consummate skill to represent trees, fruit and flowers, rivulets, fountains, roses and shrubs. Our English word “embroidery” is derived from the Celtic “brouda,” to prick. Anglo-Saxon embroidery was celebrated throughout Europe as Opus Anglicanum. The celebrated Bayeux tapestry is attributed to the 12th century. A copy of it may be seen in the South Kensington Museum. The art decayed in England during the Civil War of the 17th century.
Embrued, Her. Stained with blood.
Embu. A French term for the loss of tone in an oil sketch, caused by the absorption of the oil whilst it is drying. It is easily corrected by a glaze.
Emerald. A precious stone of various shades of green, much used by the ancients for gem-engraving. The less brilliant varieties are known as beryls. For its significance in Christian art, see Green.
Emerald Green. A vivid bright green pigment, prepared from the arseniate of copper, and used both in oil and water-colours; called also Paul Veronese Green.