Arbalest. (See Cross-bow.)
Arca, R. (arceo, to enclose, preserve). (1) A kind of box or strong chest used by the ancients as a receptacle for money, clothes, or any valuable effects. (2) A strong box or money chest; (3) a rough chest used for a coffin; (4) a cage for criminals, made of oak; (5) a wooden caisson, answering the purpose of a modern coffer-dam.
Arcade. A series of arches.
Arcadi. A Literary Academy established at Rome in 1690. The members adopted pastoral names. Their device was a Pandæan pipe, surrounded by a wreath of olive and pine.
Arcatures, Arch. A series of blind arcades represented on a wall, in relief or painting. Carved arcatures are those forming a kind of screen; they are detached from the wall, and have an inner and outer face.
Arcera, R. A cart boarded all over so as to resemble a huge chest (arca). The inmate reclined on cushions and pillows covered with drapery; and the exterior was covered with hangings, the richness of which varied with the rank and fortune of the owner.
Arch (arcus, a bow). A structure the form of which is based on the segment of a circle. The kinds of arches are named according to the curve which they make. Round-headed arches; semicircular, segmental or stilted, introduced by the Romans. Triangular arches, of very early date. Horse-shoe arches; the Moorish, the common horse-shoe and the pointed (which is also a Moorish form). Then the trefoil arch of the Early English style: with its variations, including the square-headed trefoil of the 13th century. The lancet or acute-pointed; the equilateral; the pointed trefoil; the ogee, of the 14th and 15th century; the Tudor arch, of the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII.; and the decorative forms, not used in construction; the flamboyant, the cinquefoil and the multifoil are all described under the headings printed above in Italics.
Archaic (art). The first period of Art is distinguished by stiffness and conventionality of treatment, directed much more to the symbolic representation of an idea than to beauty or true imitation. It is properly called also the hieratic type, from its intimate relation to religious symbolism. See Selinuntian; Æginetan Marbles.
Archangels. The seven angels of the Christian hierarchy who stand in the presence of God. St. Michael, sometimes in complete armour, bears a sword and scales, as the Angel of Judgment, also a rod with a cross; St. Raphael bears a fish, and a pilgrim’s staff and gourd; St. Gabriel bears a lily; Uriel carries a parchment roll and a book, as the interpreter of prophecies; Chamuel bears a cup and a staff; Zophiel a flaming sword; and Zadchiel the sacrificial knife which he took from Abraham. The Archangels are generally represented with the nimbus, and clothed as princes and warriors; their ensign is a banner and cross, and they are armed with a sword and a dart in one hand.
Arched or Archy, Her. Bent or bowed.