Vails (from Vale, farewell!). Fees to servants from parting guests.
Vair. The fur of the squirrel, much worn in state costumes of the 14th century. In Heraldry—one of the furs—represented as a series of small shields placed close together, alternately blue and white.
Valance. Drapery hangings for furniture, cornices, &c.; hence—
Valenced. Fringed with a beard. (Shakespeare.)
Fig. 678. Gilded Vase of Valencia, with votive inscription.
Valencia Pottery. M. Jacquemart considers this the most ancient and the true centre of the ceramic fabrication in Spain, carried back by tradition to the Roman domination. On the conquest of Spain from the Moors the Saracen potters of Valencia were protected by special charter. Fig. [678] is an illustration of the gilded ware for which Valencia is famous.
Fig. 679. Valenciennes.
Valenciennes. The date of the introduction of the manufacture of this lace is unknown, although it existed before the time of Louis XIV., under whose reign it flourished and reached its climax between 1725 and 1780. Valenciennes lace is made entirely on the pillow, of simple combinations, with one kind of thread for the pattern and for the ground. (See engraving.) No lace is so expensive to make from the number of bobbins required. The flax used is of the finest quality, so fine that the lace-makers worked in underground cellars to keep their work from the air, and scarcely completed an inch and half of lace in a day.