Golden Fleece. An Order of Knighthood instituted on the 10th of January, 1429, by Philip, Duke of Burgundy. The Collar is composed of double steels, interwoven with flint-stones, emitting sparks of fire, at the end whereof hangs on the breast a Golden Fleece. The fusils are joined two and two together, as if they were double BB’s (the cyphers of Burgundy). The flint-stones are the ancient arms of the Sovereigns of Burgundy, with the motto “Ante ferit quam flamma micet.” (See Fig. [342].) The motto of the Order is “Pretium non vile laborum.” There are four great officers, viz. the Chancellor, Treasurer, Register, and a King of Arms, called Toison d’Or. The Badge consists of a Golden Fleece, suspended from a flint-stone, which is surrounded with flames of gold.
Golden Spur. An Order of Knighthood said to have been instituted by Pius IV., at Rome, in 1559. They are sometimes spoken of as the Chevaliers Pies or Piorum, and must be distinguished from those who are created knights on the coronation or marriage days of Emperors and Kings, and who receive at the same time the Spurs of Honour. These alone are entitled to the appellation of Equites Aurati. [Cf. Peter de Bellet, Favin, &c.]
Golden Stole of Venice. (See Stola d’Oro.)
Golione, O. E. A kind of gown.
Gondola, It. A Venetian pleasure-boat or barge.
Gonfalon or Gonfanon, Fr. (1) A richly-worked pointed banner carried upon a lance; 13th century. (2) An ecclesiastical banner.
Gonfalonier. The bearer of a gonfalon.
Goniometer (γωνία, an angle, &c.). An instrument for measuring the angles of crystals.
Gonjo, O. E. (14th century). Said to be the gorget.
Gopouras, Hind. The pyramid-shaped door of the Hindoo temples. Dwararab’ha, or door of splendour, was the name given to a door with one or two tiers; dwarasala, or door of the dwelling, a door with two or four tiers; dwaraprasada, or propitious door, a door with three to five tiers; dwaraharmya, or door of the palace, a door with five to seven tiers; lastly, dwaragopouras, or door-tower with seven to sixteen tiers.