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

Sienna, Terra di Sienna. A brown pigment. (See Ochres.)

Sigilla, R. (dimin. of signum, an image), (1) A seal or signet. (2) Small sculptured or moulded bosses, used to decorate vases or architecture. (3) Small statuettes, called also Sigillaria.

Sigillaria, R. (1) The last days of the festival of the Saturnalia, when sigilla, or statuettes of gold and silver or terra-cotta, were offered to Saturn, and amongst the people, as presents to each other.

Sigillatus, R. Ornamented or decorated with sigilla. (See Sigillum.)

Sigla, It. (contraction of sigilla). A conventional sign used instead of a word or phrase; such as = for equal to, and + for plus; A.U.C. for ab urbe conditâ, &c.

Sigma, R. A semicircular couch, so called because it assumed the form of the Greek Σ, which was originally written like our C. Hence, the seat which ran round the walls of the Piscina in a bath. (See Stibadium.)

Signa Militaria. (See Ensigns.)

Signature, in printing, is a letter put at the bottom of the first page in every sheet, as a direction to the binder in collating them.

Signets. (See Rings.)

Signinum (opus), R. A kind of concrete for floorings, invented at Signia, and formed of broken tiles consolidated with mortar, and levelled with a pavior’s beetle.