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

Appliqué, Fr. Applied ornament, as of metal or porcelain upon wood. In embroidery, Appliqué work is used, when a pattern cut out of one colour or stuff is applied, or laid on, to another.

Fig. 35. Apse of St. William in the Desert, a monastery in the South of France.—Built about A. D. 820.

Apse, Apsis, or Chevet (ἁψὶς, bow or vault). The termination of a church. It is generally of semicircular form, and surmounted by a demicupola, but there are instances of rectangular apses. Fig. [35] represents the apse of St. William in the Desert. (See Absis.)

Apsis gradata, Chr. The chair occupied by bishops in the early Christian basilicas.

Apteral, Arch. Without wings. A temple without columns on the sides.

Aqua fortis (nitric acid). Used by engravers and etchers for biting-in on copper and steel.

Aqua marina. A transparent green stone, frequently used by the gem engravers of antiquity.

Aquæmanalis. (See Aquiminarium.)

Aquamanile, Chr. The basin used for washing the hands of the celebrant in the liturgy. A. of great splendour are frequently mentioned in the ancient records. The corresponding ewer was called Urceus.