Shagreen. A grained leather prepared from the skin of a species of shark, and stained green. A close imitation is made from horses’ or asses’ skins, in Russia, and dyed red, blue, or black.
Shalm or Shawm. A musical instrument, a pipe with a reed in the mouth-hole.
Shamrock, Her. A trefoil plant or leaf, the badge of Ireland.
Shard, O. E. A piece of broken pottery. (It has other meanings. Consult Halliwell.)
Shay-le, Chin. A relic of Buddha.
Fig. 611. Sheaf. Device of Alphonso d’Avalos.
Sheaf. (1) A bundle of ripe corn bound up in the field; the device assumed by Alfonso d’Avalos, when he was made captain-general of the army of Charles V., with the motto implying incessant devotion to his work,—that, as soon as one harvest is reaped, its successor must be sown. (2) A bunch of twenty-four arrows, enough to fill a quiver.
Sheep. In Christian art, the twelve apostles occur in early mosaics as twelve sheep, and our Lord in the midst as their Shepherd.
Shekel. A Jewish coin, value about 2s. 6d.