=U.= The letter repeated so as to mark the feathering upon tails of
birds, is a peculiarity of Sicilian silks.
=Udo=, R. A sock made of goat-skin, or felt.
=Ulna=, R. A measure of length, subdivision of the foot measure.
=Ultramarine= or =Lapis Lazuli= (_azurrum transmarinum_). A beautiful
blue pigment obtained from lazulite, highly esteemed by early painters.
In consequence of the costliness of this pigment its use in a picture
was regulated by special contract, and it was either supplied or paid
for by the person who ordered the picture. Lely has recorded that he
paid for his as much as 4_l._ 10_s._ the ounce. The pigment is now
artificially compounded. (Cf. GUIMET’S U.)
=Umbella=, =Umbraculum=, R. (_umbra_, shade). An umbrella, made to open
and shut like those of modern times. It is represented on vases held by
a female slave over the head of her mistress. (See also UMBRELLAS.)
=Umber.= A massive mineral pigment used by painters as a brown colour,
and to make varnish dry quickly. _Raw umber_ is of an olive brown, which
becomes much redder when _burnt_. (See OCHRES.)
=Umbilici=, R. (lit. _navels_), were the ornamental bosses which
projected from each end of the staff round which a volume of papyrus or
parchment (_liber_) was rolled. They were also called _cornua_, and
_geminæ frontes_. (See LIBER.)
=Umbo= (Gr. ὀμφαλός). (1) The boss of a shield, often sharp and
projecting so as to form an offensive weapon in itself. (2) A bunch
formed by the folds of the toga tacked in to the belt across the chest.
=Umbræ=, R. The shades of the departed; represented in the forms in
which they abandoned life. Those killed in battle, _mutilated_, &c.
=Umbrellas.= ANGLO-SAXON manuscripts sometimes represent a servant
holding an umbrella over the head of his master. In the sculptures of
ancient EGYPT and ASSYRIA they are represented borne by the attendants
on a king. The GREEK and ROMAN ladies used parasols in all respects
resembling those of modern times. In the PANATHENAIC procession the
daughters of foreign settlers in Athens had to carry parasols over the
heads of the Athenian maidens taking part in the procession. They were
substituted later on by broad hats, the Roman PETASUS and the Greek
THOLIA. In the SIAMESE empire an umbrella is the emblem of the royal
dignity.
[Illustration: Fig. 672. Umbril.]
=Umbrere=, =Umbril=. In mediæval armour, a projection on a helmet acting
as a guard to the eyes.
=Umbril.= (See UMBRERE.)
=Uncia= (Gr. οὐγκία, _Angl._ ounce). The _unit_ of measurement. The
twelfth part of anything. In currency, a copper coin; the twelfth part
of an As. Its value was expressed on the obverse and reverse by _one_
ball; in lineal measurement, the twelfth of a foot, whence our _inch_;
in square measure, the twelfth of a _jugerum_; of liquids, the twelfth
of a _sextarius_; in weight, the twelfth of a pound (_libra_).
=Uncial Letters.= When writing on papyrus or vellum became common, many
of the straight lines of the capitals, in that kind of writing,
gradually acquired a _curved_ form. From the 6th to the 8th, or even
10th century, these _uncials_, or partly rounded capitals, prevail in
illuminated MSS. (See also MINUSCULE, SEMI-UNCIALS.)
=Uncus=, R. (ὄγκος). A hook such as (1) that with which the corpses of
gladiators were dragged out of the arena; or those of criminals from the
carnificina where they were executed. (2) The fluke of an anchor, &c.
=Under-croft=, Arch. A subterranean chamber.
[Illustration: 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.)
[Illustration: 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 100_l._”