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

Minium. A kind of red lead obtained by exposing lead or its protoxide to heat, till it is converted to a red oxide. It is a fine orange pigment, but fugitive and liable to decomposition when mixed with other pigments. The ancient minium was cinnabar, or vermilion. (See Illuminating.)

Minnim, Heb. Stringed musical instruments of the lute or guitar kind.

Fig. 462. Minotaur. Device of Gonzalvo Perez.

Minotaur, R. A monster, half man, half bull, confined in the labyrinth constructed by Dædalus in Crete. It was assumed as a device by Gonzalvo Perez, with the motto from Isaiah xxx. 15. (Fig. [462].)

Minster, Abbey-church, O. E. (Germ. Münster). A church to which a monastery was attached; a cathedral. The name survives in “West-minster.”

Minstrel Gallery, O. E. The LOFT in a church was so called.

Minuscule. (See Semi-uncials.)

Minute, It. A subdivision of the module in the measurement of architectural proportion. It is the twelfth, the eighteenth, or the thirtieth part of the Module.

Mirador, Sp. A belvedere, or overhanging bow-window.