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

Toise. In French lineal measurement = 76 inches.

Toison d’Or, Her. The Golden Fleece. A French order of knighthood, instituted by Philip the Good in 1429. The order has a king at arms called Toison d’Or. The collar is composed of flint-stones, alternately with double fusils placed two and two together, forming double B’s. From this suspends a Golden Fleece. The motto is, “Pretium non vile laborum.” (See Fusil.)

Tokens. Small coins issued by tradesmen for current money. (Consult W. Boyne’s Tokens, &c.)

Tolleno, R. (tollo, to lift). (1) A contrivance for drawing water from a well, made of a strong cross-bar poised from the top of an upright beam, with a weight at one end and a rope and bucket at the other. (2) A similar apparatus was used in siege operations to lift soldiers up to a wall.

Tom-tom. Oriental small drum, of a barrel form, covered at each end with skin, carried obliquely, and beaten with one hand at each end.

Fig. 657. Lycian Tomb of great antiquity.

Tomb. From the earliest ages tombs similar in general design to those of modern times have been used to mark the resting-places of the dead. Fig. [657] represents an ancient monument in Lycia. (See Stela, Shrine.)

Tombac. Red brass; the white tombac is an alloy of copper and zinc, containing not more than 20 per cent. of zinc.

Tompion. The plug to the mouth of a cannon.