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

Pourpoint, Fr. A quilted doublet, worn in the 14th and 15th centuries. The illustration represents a Venetian gallant of the 16th century. (See Gambeson.)

Powder-blue is pulverized pipe-clay, a good “pounce” for transferring designs upon linen for embroidery.

Powdered, Her. (See Sémé.)

Powers, Chr. Guardian angels, usually represented bearing a staff. (See Angels.)

Præcinctio, E. (præcingo, to gird). A lobby running quite round the circle formed by the caveæ in the interior of a theatre or amphitheatre; the same term is also used to denote the passages between the tiers of seats comprised within each mænianum. According to their importance, theatres and amphitheatres were divided into two, three, and sometimes four præcinctiones.

Præfericulum, R. A metal basin without handles, used for holding sacred utensils.

Præficæ, R. Women hired as mourners at the funerals of wealthy persons.

Fig. 560. Præfurnium hypocaust.

Præfurnium, R. The mouth of a furnace placed beneath a hypocausis or heating-stove in a set of baths. Fig. [560] shows the præfurnium of a hypocausis which was drawn upon the walls of a laconicum situated near the church of St. Cecilia at Rome. (See Hypocausis.)