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

Portisculus, R. A director’s staff wielded on board ship by the officer who gave the time to the rowers to make them row in unison.

Portrait Painting. The earliest portrait on record is that of Polygnotus, painted by himself, B.C. 400. Giotto is said to have been the earliest successful portrait painter of modern times. The different sizes of portraits are the following:—

	ft.	in.		ft.	in.
Bishop’s whole length	8	10	by	5	10.
Whole length	7	10	„	4	10.
Bishop’s half-length	4	8	„	3	8.
Half-length	4	2	„	3	4.
Small half-length	3	8	„	2	10.
Kit-cat	3	0	„	2	4.
Three-quarter size	2	6	„	2	1.
Head size	2	0	„	1	8.

Portula. A wicket made in a large gate in order to give admittance into a city without opening the porta or large gate.

Posnett, O. E. A little pot.

Postergale, Chr. A Dorsal (q.v.).

Postern (posterna, a back door). A private gate in a rampart, either upon the platform or at the angle of a curtain, and opening into the ditches, whence it was possible to pass by the pas-de-souris, without being seen by the besiegers, into the covered way and the glacis.

Posticum, R. (Gr. παραθύρα). (1) A back door to a Roman house. (2) In Architecture, the part of a building opposite to the façade; the posterior façade.

Postis, R. The jamb of a door, supporting the lintel or limen superius.

Postscenium, R. The part of a Roman theatre behind the stage, in which the actors dressed, and the appointments and machines were kept.