Tondi, It. A name given to a series of twelve circular medallions, painted by Luca della Robbia, with impersonations of the twelve months.
Tondino, It. A name given to small plates or dishes, which it was a mediæval fashion for the gallants to present, filled with confectioneries, to ladies. They are described as small, with a wide flat brim and sunk centre; in this, the central medallion generally occupied by a figure of Cupid, hearts tied by ribbons or pierced with arrows, or by joined hands, and similar amatory devices, or with a shield of arms and initial letters, &c.
Tones are the modifications which a colour, in its greatest intensity, is capable of receiving from white, which lowers its tone, or black which heightens it. A scale is an assemblage of tones of the same colour, thus modified. The pure colour is the normal tone of the scale. Hues are the modifications which a colour receives from the addition of a small quantity of another colour. (Chevreuil on Colour, pp. 34, 35.)
Tonometer. A delicate instrument for tuning musical instruments, by marking the number of vibrations.
Tonstrina, R. A barber’s shop; frequented only by the middle classes; the rich were shaved at their houses; and the poor allowed their beards and hair to grow.
Tonsure, Chr. The clerical crown, adopted, it is said, in imitation of St. Peter, or of the Crown of Thorns, was disapproved of in the 4th century as pertaining only to penitents; and not made essential till the end of the 5th or beginning of the 6th centuries.
Tontisse, Fr. Flock-paper; paper-hangings ornamented with flock-wool.
Tooth-Ornament, Arch. A name of the NAILHEAD moulding. It is the peculiar distinction of the Early English style, to which it is nearly, if not exclusively, confined. It is the regular progression from the Norman zigzag to the delicate quatrefoil of the Decorated English. It resembles a succession of low, square, pierced pyramids set on the edges of a hollow moulding.
Toothing, Arch. Projecting bricks left at the end of a wall, to form a union with any further buildings.
Topaz. There are two varieties of this gem; the Brazilian yellow, which is the best known, and the Oriental.