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. 354. Gipcière.

Gipcières. Richly ornamented leather purses of the 14th and 15th centuries. They were often engraved with religious mottoes. (Fig. [354].)

Gipon. Probably the same as gambeson.

Girandole. A large kind of branched candlestick.

Girdled, Girt, Her. Encircled or bound round.

Fig. 355. Girdle of a Flemish lady of the 15th century.

Girdles. These were the most beautiful and costly articles of dress during the Middle Ages. They were frequently made entirely of gold or silver, decorated with cameos, precious stones, &c. Besides the knightly sword; the purse, dagger, rosary, or penner and ink-horn and other objects were suspended from the girdle. From this word the waist was called the girdlestead, or place (sted) of the girdle. The girdles of ladies were equally splendid, and frequently depended nearly to the ground, as in Fig. [355]. The girdle is an attribute of St. Thomas, from a legend that the Virgin, pitying his weakness of faith, threw down to him her girdle, after her assumption into heaven.

Girgillus, R. A roller turned by a windlass, for drawing up the bucket of a well. (See Jack.)

Girouette. (See Epi.)