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

Berlin Porcelain. The manufactory was first founded in 1750, under Frederick the Great. Fig. [83] is a specimen of Berlin hard porcelain.

Beryl. A gem of an iridescent green colour.

Bes, R. (bi, twice, and as). A fraction of value equivalent to two-thirds of an as.

Besa, Gr. and R. A drinking-vessel, also called bessa and bession. It was wider at the bottom than at the top, and in shape much resembled the Bombylos (q.v.).

Bessa (Fr. beysse ferrée), Med. An instrument like a pickaxe or mattock used by the pioneers of an army; 15th century. (Meyrick.)

Bession. (See Besa.)

Bestions, Arch. This term is applied by Philibert Delorme to the fantastic animals which occur in sculptures of the decorative or florid period of architecture.

Beten, O. E. Embroidered with fancy subjects.

“A coronall on her hedd sett,

Her clothes with beasts and birdes were bete.”