Fictile Ware, Keremania, R. (fingo, to mould). Any object made of terra-cotta or pottery, such as tiles, bricks, vases, &c. (See Pottery.)
Fiddle (A.S. fithele), or Viol, is represented in an Anglo-Saxon MS. of the 11th century, of a pear-shape, with four strings. The fiddle-bow probably originated in Hindustan, where the Hindus claim that the ravanastron was invented about 5000 years ago by Ravanon, a king of Ceylon. Almost identical with this is the Chinese fiddle called urheen, which has only two strings, and its body consists of a small block of wood, hollowed out and covered with a snake-skin. A German fiddle of the 9th century, called lyra, has only one string. In the Nibelungen Lied Volker is described as dexterous in playing the fiddle. Interesting representations of performers on the fiddle are painted on the roof of Peterborough Cathedral. They are attributed to the 12th century.
Fidelia, R. An earthenware vessel or jar used as a receptacle for cement.
Fides or Fidis, R. A general term comprising all stringed or gut instruments (from sphidé, catgut).
Fidicula, R. (dimin. of fides). A very fine catgut string, a treble-string. The plural fidiculæ denotes an instrument of torture for slaves, the form of which is unknown.
Field. In Numismatics, the surface of a coin on which objects were engraved; in Heraldry, the entire surface of a shield or banner.
Figure-paintings. Paintings of the human figure.
Fig. 312. Silver Filigree. Reliquary, belonging to Lord Hastings, said to have been dug up in the foundations of St. Paul’s, London.
Filagree, Filigree, or Filigraine (It. filigrana = filum and granum, or granular network; so called because the Italians, who first introduced this style of work, placed beads upon it. [Ure.]). This work is of gold or silver wire plaited and soldered into delicate arabesques and flower patterns. In the 15th century the Spanish Moors “made admirable chiselled, enamelled, and gilt work, and applied filigree work on the surface, a system kept up at Salamanca and Cordova to the present day.” The Eastern nations have always been famous for filigree work.