Fengite. Transparent alabaster used for glass in windows.
Ferculum, R. (fero, to carry). Contracted form of fericulum, a tray, and thence the dishes carried upon a tray; a course or remove. In a triumphal procession the term was applied to a platform for displaying an enemy’s spoils, a rich booty, images of the gods, &c.; or the ashes of the dead in a funeral.
Fig. 307. Silver Feretory or Reliquary, of good English work, for the most part in repoussé.
Feretory, Chr. (1) A richly ornamented shrine, often of solid gold and set with jewels, in which the relics of saints are carried in Roman Catholic processions. (2) The enclosure or chapel in which the shrine was kept.
Feretrum or Pheretrum, Gr, R., and Chr. (Lat. capulus). A bier; sometimes a shrine. The term was used at a period when coffins were uncommon; more properly the Feretory, 1 (q.v.).
Feriæ, R. Days of festival among the Romans; they were classed as follows: (1) Feriæ statæ or stativæ, which were held regularly on the days indicated in the calendar; these were the immovable festivals, such as the Agonalia, Carmentalia, Lupercalia, &c. (2) Feriæ conceptæ or conceptivæ, which were held every year, but at uncertain intervals; these were the movable festivals, such as the Latinæ, Sementivæ, Paganalia, and Compitalia. (3) Lastly, there were the feriæ imperativæ or official festivals, which were held by order of the dictators, consuls, or prætors. All feriæ were dies nefasti, on which lawsuits, political transactions, &c. were impious, and slaves were relieved of their labour. The feriæ Latinæ were the most important of all Roman festivals.
Fermail, Her. A buckle.
Ferr, Her. A horse-shoe.
Ferrara. A manufactory of majolica in North Italy, described by Jacquemart as “one of the most brilliant in Italy;” established by Alfonso I. with artists imported from Faenza, circa 1495. (Jacquemart.)