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. 532. Pennon.

Pennon, Her. An armorial lance-flag, pointed or swallow-tailed at the fly, borne by knights.

Pentachord. Any musical instrument having five strings; a system of five sounds.

Pentacle (It. pentacolo). A talisman; a figure formed of two triangles, intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star. A frequent object in early ornamental art.

Pentagon. A figure of five sides and five angles.

Pentagraph. A mechanism contrived to facilitate the copying of drawings on a different scale, invented by Christopher Scheiner, a Suabian Jesuit, in the 16th century.

Pentahedron. A solid figure having five equal sides.

Pentalpha. The pentacle was so called.

“A star of five points, composed of five A’s interlaced, was formerly made by physicians the symbol of health, under the name of Pentalpha.” (Menestrier.)

Pentaptych. An altar painting of five or more leaves. (See Diptych.)