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

Sapphire, in Christian art. (See Blue.)

Saraballa, Sarabara, Gr. and R. (σαράβαλλα). Loose trousers, which reached from the waist to the instep, worn by the Parthians, Medes, and Persians.

Saraband, Sp. A slow dance derived from the Saracens; the music for sarabands, by Corelli and other old masters, is interesting. (See Chappell’s History of Music, &c.)

Saracenic Architecture. (See Alhambraic, Moorish, Moresco-Spanish.)

Sarapis, Pers. (σάραπις). The tunic of the kings of Persia; it was made of a fine purple-coloured cloth, with a white band in front embroidered with gold.

Sarcenet. A fine thin woven silk. An improved cendal, introduced in the 15th century by the Saracens of the south of Spain; hence its name. (See Cendal.)

Sarcilis, Chr. A woollen garment—not described.

Sarcoline (Gr. σὰρξ, flesh). Flesh-coloured.

Sarcolite. A stone of a rose-flesh colour.

Sarcophagus, Gen. (σαρκοφάγος; σὰρξ, flesh, and φαγεῖν, to eat). A coffin of a limestone called Lapis Assius, in which the corpse was rapidly consumed. The great sarcophagus called “of Alexander the Great,” in the British Museum, is a celebrated specimen. (See Bisomus, Quadrisomus, and Trisomus.)