Shell, Chr. In Gallic as in Christian tombs shells are of frequent occurrence; there is no doubt that they symbolize the resurrection, the body of man being looked upon as a shell which he leaves behind him at death. Different kinds of shell are met with, but that of most frequent occurrence is the common snail-shell (helix pomatia). (See Escallop.)
Shell-cameos. Cameos carved on shells. These are certain conch shells or strombs, the substance of which consists of two distinct layers of different colours. The black conch offers the most decided contrast in the colours.
Shell-lac. Crude lac-resin melted into plates or shales. (See Lac.)
Shenti, Egyp. A short pair of drawers, fastened round the hips by a belt, worn by the ancient Egyptians.
Shepherd’s Crook. (See Pedum.)
Shepherds. (See Hycsos.)
Shingles. Wooden tiles; frequently used for church spires.
Ship. A symbol of the Church. (See Navette.)
Shoes. The shoes worn by the Greeks generally reached to the middle of the leg; the Romans had the calceus and the solea or sandal; the former was worn with the toga on ordinary occasions; the sandal on a journey or at a feast; but it was considered effeminate to appear in public with them. Black shoes were worn by the citizens of ordinary rank (see Atramentum, Chalcanthum), and white ones (sometimes red) by the women; on ceremonial occasions the magistrates wore red shoes. Patricians and their children wore a crescent shoe-buckle (see Luna). Slaves went barefooted. The Jews had shoes of leather, wood, &c., tied with thongs passed under the soles of the feet; to “untie the latchets” of a man’s shoes was a sign of deep subservience. In ancient as in modern times the Oriental peoples put off their shoes as we uncover the head. (Consult Herbert Spencer on Ceremonies.)
Shop. (See Taberna.)