Blautai, Gr. (Lat. soleæ). A richly-made shoe; a kind of sandal worn by men.
Blazon, Her. Armorial compositions. To blazon is to describe or to represent them in an heraldic manner. The representation is called Blazonry. For example, the blazoning of the BADGES on the cornice of King Henry’s chantry in Westminster Abbey is as follows:—On the dexter, a white antelope, ducally collared, chained, and armed or; and on the sinister a swan gorged with a crown and chain. The beacon or cresset or, inflamed proper. (See Fig. [54].)
Blending. Passing over painting with a soft brush of badger’s hair made for the purpose, by which the pigments are fused together and the painting softened.
Blindman’s Buff. Called “hoodman-blind,” temp. Elizabeth.
Blind-story, Arch. The TRIFORIUM in a church. Opposed to the CLEAR or CLERESTORY (q.v.).
Blocking-course, Arch. The last course in a wall, especially of a parapet. The surface is made slightly convex to allow of water flowing off more easily.
Blodbendes (O. E. for blood-bands). Narrow strips of linen to bind round the arm after bleeding.
Blodius, O. E. Sky-blue.
Bloom. The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes takes upon the surface of a picture.
Blue. One of the three primary colours, the complementary to orange. Blue, in Christian art, or the sapphire, expressed heaven, the firmament, truth, constancy, fidelity. Its symbolism as the dress worn by the Virgin Mary is of modesty. In blazonry it signifies chastity, loyalty, fidelity, and good reputation. Engravers represent it by horizontal lines.