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

Whole and Halves. Proportional compasses used for the enlargement or reduction of drawings.

Whorler. The wheel of a potter’s lathe.

Wicker-work. Texture of osiers, or small twigs; basket-work.

Wicket (Fr. Guichet). A small door perforated in a larger one.

Wigs (contraction of Periwigs, from Fr. perruque) were brought in from France in the 16th century. They took their greatest proportions in the time of Louis XIV. In the early 18th century also they are described as of immense size, “large enough to have loaded a camel.” And of this date is the celebrated wig-maker’s sign, in which Absalom was represented hanging by the hair in a tree, and King David weeping beneath, exclaiming,—

“O Absalom! O Absalom!

O Absalom, my son!

If thou hadst worn a periwig

Thou hadst not been undone.”

Smaller varieties were called perukes or travelling-wigs; and the campaign wig, which “hath knots or bobs, a dildo on each side with a curled forehead.” These dildos or pole-locks were the origin of the pigtail. (See Hair.)