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

Kerchiefs or Coverchiefs (chief = the head), O. E. Head-cloths of fine linen worn by ladies.

Kermes (Arabic = little worm). An insect produced on the Quercus coccifera. The dead bodies of the female insect produce a fine scarlet dye stuff.

Kern. The Irish infantry were formerly so called.

Kersey. A coarse narrow woollen cloth; hence “Kersey-mere,” so called from the mere (or miry brook) which runs through the village of Kersey in Suffolk, where this cloth was first made.

Kettle-drum. A drum with a body of brass.

Fig. 407. Kettle-hat.

Kettle-hat, O. E. The iron hat of a knight of the Middle Ages; also the leather burgonet of the 15th century.

Kettle-pins, O. E. (See Kayles.)

Key-note. In Music, the foundation or lowest note of the scale. Whatever note this is, the intervals between the third and fourth notes, and between the seventh and eighth above it, must be semi-tones.