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

Fig. 450. Etruscan Mask in terra-cotta.

Mascaron, Arch. Fr. A mask; the face of a man or animal employed as an ornamentation for decorating the key-stones of arches or vaults, or the stones of an arch, &c. (Fig. [450].)

Mascle, Her. The central lozenge of a diapered surface; it is drawn with right angles.

Maser or Mazer, O. E. A bowl of maple-wood. The name is applied to similar bowls or goblets of other woods.

“The mazers four,

My noble fathers loved of yore,”

are mentioned by Scott in “The Lord of the Isles.” They were richly ornamented, frequently with legends on the rim, such as

“In the name of the Trinitie

Fille the kup and drinke to me,”

and the rim was often covered with silver or gold.