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

Perpendicular Style of Architecture. The third and last of the pointed or Gothic styles of architecture used in England. It was developed from the Decorated during the latter part of the 14th century, and continued in use till the middle of the 16th, when it gave way to the style called Elizabethan. It is peculiar to England. Its chief characteristics are a general prevalence of perpendicular lines, panelling of flat surfaces, and the multiplicity of small shafts with which the piers, &c., are overlaid.

Perron, Arch. A staircase, or flight of steps, outside a building.

Perse, Fr. Chintz.

Persian. A thin inferior silk used for lining garments.

Persian Blinds (Fr. Persiennes). Venetian blinds.

Fig. 536. Persian Bowl.

Fig. 537. Flask. Persian.

Persian Pottery. The illustrations (from Jacquemart’s History of the Ceramic Art) are (Fig. [536]) a bowl of soft porcelain, blue externally and decorated with abundant vegetation and fantastic birds with peacocks’ tails; (Fig. [537]) a flask, also of soft porcelain, characterized by a blackish-blue scroll encircling the principal subject; and (Fig. [538]) a faience tile which M. Jacquemart considers pure Mohammedan art, is very interesting for the subject that it represents—the caaba or sacred mosque of Mecca, the object of the Mohammedan pilgrimage. (Consult Souvenir d’un voyage en Perse, Comte de Rochchouart.)