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

Plafond, Plafonner, Fr. Arch. (plat-fond). The French term for a ceiling, often the subject of elaborate architectural, carved, or painted decoration. The peculiar foreshortened perspective characteristic of figure-pictures on a ceiling is hence described as “plafonné;” and it is generally said of a painter distinguished for bold foreshortenings, “Il excelle à plafonner.” Plafonds of different periods are found of wood, lath and plaster, or stone.

Plaga, R. A hunting-net, the diminutive of which is plagula (small net); the latter term also denotes the curtains hung round a couch or litter, a width of cloth, a strip of paper, &c.

Plagula. (See Plaga.)

Planchet. A name for the smooth coin prepared for stamping before it has passed under the die.

Planeta. A robe worn by priests, resembling the Dalmatic (see Fig. [236]) worn by deacons. (See Chasuble.)

Planetary Machine. (See Orrery.)

Planisphere. A projection of the sphere and its various circles on a plane surface.

Fig. 546. Planta Genista.

Planta Genista, Her. The broom-plant badge of the Plantagenets.