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

Under-croft, Arch. A subterranean chamber.

Fig. 673. Undulated moulding.

Undulated, Arch. (unda, a wave). Moulded or sculptured in the form of a wave; as for instance the undulated torus. (See Nebule.) (Fig. [673].)

Undy, Undée, Her. Wavy.

Unguentaria, R. Flasks or boxes of costly workmanship for holding perfumes, essences, oils, and salves, for use in the baths, &c. (See Narthecia.)

Fig. 674. Unicorn. Device of the Orsini family.

Unicorn. In Christian art a symbol of purity, especially of female chastity. Attribute of St. Justina of Antioch. In Heraldry it is famous as the sinister supporter of the Royal Shield of England. The legend was that its body took the form of a horse and antelope, and it had one horn on its head. It was believed to live solitary in the woods, and could only be caught by a maiden. The property of detecting poison was attributed to its horn, and Hentzner, who visited England in 1598, says:—

“We were shown at Windsor the horn of an Unicorn, of about eight spans and a half in length, valued at above 100l.”