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

Key-stone, Arch. The central stone of an arch.

Keys. In Christian art, the attribute of St. Peter, signifying his control over the entrances of Heaven and Hell; hence the insignia of the Papacy. They also denote, in heraldry, office in the State, such as that of chamberlain of the court.

Khan, Orient. The name used by Eastern nations to denote a caravanserai.

Kher, Egyp. The quarter of tombs; the whole number of burial-places or hypogæa collected together at one spot.

Fig. 408. Khmer Architecture. Base of a pillar in a Temple of Cambodia, showing the god Brahma with four faces.

Khmers, Hind. The ancient inhabitants of Cambodia, a territory in South-East Asia, who had attained a high stage of civilization, to judge by the artistic remains of the Khmer nation which survive.

Khopesh, Egyp. The dagger of the Egyptian kings; its curved blade bore some resemblance to the thigh of an ox, which was called in Egyptian khopesh or khopesk.

Kin-chung, Chinese. A golden bell.

King-fisher. (See Halcyon.)