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

Pulvinar, R. (pulvinus, a cushion). A cushion or bolster, and thence a state couch or a marriage-bed.

Pulvinarium, R. (1) A room in a temple, in which was set out the pulvinar or couch for the gods at the feast of the Lectisternium. (2) See Opus Pulvinarium.

Fig. 565. Pulvinatus.

Pulvinatus, R. Having a contour similar to that of a cushion or bolster, and thence the cylinder formed by the swelling of the volute at the side of the Ionic capital. (Fig. [565].)

Pumice-stone. A kind of lava of less specific gravity than water. The dome of the mosque of St. Sophia at Constantinople is built of pumice-stone.

Punchau. (See Inti.)

Punctum, R. A vote or suffrage, because in early times each citizen, instead of laying down a tessera or tablet with his vote, passed in front of the rogator, or voting officer who had the list of candidates before him, and pricked a hole (punctum) in the tablet against the name of the candidate for whom the vote was given.

Punkahs. Swinging fans suspended from the ceilings of houses in India, often richly embroidered and decorated with feathers, brilliant insects, gold and silver, &c.

Puntilla, Sp. A narrow point-lace edging.