1218

GLOSSARY.
Fig. im:. Wykham Church, Derby-
shire.
Baluster Shaft. A small shaft or pillar in the shape of a Lalustor dividing an opening,
seen in thewindow of belfries in the Romani-sque towers in England. They have generally
an
elliptical or
pear-shaped entasis or swelling in
the lower half. The illustration is from Wykham
-%,'^,
^-^^
Church,
Derbyshire.
Baltjstradb. a
parapet or protecting fence formed of
balusters,
sometimes
employed for real use, and
sometimes merely for ornament.
Band. (Fr. Bande.) A flat member or moulding,
smaller than a fascia. The face of a^ band is in a
vertical plane, as is also that of the fascia
;
the word,
however, is applied to narrow members somewhat
wider than fillets; and the word /rtscw to broader
members. The cinctures sometimes used round the
shafts of rustieked
columns are called bands. In
this case the column is called a banded column.
Bandages. A term applied to the rings or chains of
iron inserted in the corners of a stone wall, or round
the
circumference of a tower, at the springing of
a dome, &c., which act as a tie on the walls to keep
them together.
Bandelet, or Bandlet. A small band encompissing
a column like a ring.
Banding Plank. A plane intended for cutting out grooves and inlaying strings and
bands in straight and circuhir work.
Banister. A vulgar term for baluster, which see.
Banker. A bench, on which masons prepare, cut, and square their work.
Banquet. (Fr.) The footway of a bri Ige when rj.ised above the carriage-way.
Baptistery. (Gr. ^airTi^w.) A detached building, or a portion of a church, destined
for administration of the rite of baptism. It has been contended by some that the
baptistery was at first placed in the interior vestibules of the early churches, as are in
many churches the baptismal fonts. This, however, was not the case. The baptistery
was quite separate from the basilica, and even placed at some distance from it. Until
the end of the sixth century, it was, beyond doubt, a distinct building; but after that
period the font gradually found its way into the vestibule of the cluirch, and the prac-
tice became general, except in a few cliurches, as at Florence, Ravenna, of S.
Giovanni
Laterano at Rome, and in those of all the episcojial cities of Tuscany, and some few
other places. The Roman example is perhaps the most ancient remaining. There was
a baptistery at Constantinople, of such dimensions that, on one occasion, it held a
very numerous council. That at Florence is^nearly ninety feet in diameter, octagonal,
and covered with a dome. It is enclosed by the celebnited bronze doors by Lorenzo
Ghiberti. which Michel Angelo said were fit to be the gates of Paradise. The baptistery
of Pisa, designed by Dioti Salvi, was finished about 1160. The plan is octagonal, about
129 feet in diameter and 179 feet hich.
Bar. In a court of justice, an enclosure, three or four feet high, in which the counsel
have their places to plead causes. The same name is given to the enclosure, or rather
bar before it, at which prisoners are placed to take their trials for criminal offences.
Bar. a piece of wood or iron used for fastening doors, window shutters, &c.
Bar or Barred door. The term used in Scotland for aledged door.
Bar of a Sash. The light pieces of wood or metal which divide a window sash into
compartments for the glass. The angle bars of a, sa,sh a,Te those standing at the inter-
section of two vertical planes.
Bar Iron. Iron made of the cast metal after it comes from the furnace. The sows and
pigs, as the shapes of the metal are technically termed, pass through the forges and
chaufery, where, having undergone five successive heats, they are formed into bars.
Bar-vosts. Posts driven into the ground for forming the sides of a field gate. They are
mortised, to admit of horizontal bars being put in or taken out at pleasure.
Bar-tracery. A name given to the completely developed form of Gothic tracery, from
its fancied resemblance to bars of iron wrought and bent into the various forms exhibited.
Barbacan. A watch-tower for descrying an enemy; also the outer work or defence of a
Ciistle, or the fort at the entrance of a bridge. Apertures in the walls of a fortress,
fur
firing through upon the enemy, are sometimes ciiUed by this name. The etymology
of
the word has been variously assigned to French, It:ilian, Spanish, Saxon, and
Arabian
origin. See Castle.
Baboe Boards. The inclined projecting boards placed at the gable of ft building,
and
hiding the horizontal timbers of a roof. They are frequently carved with
trefoils,
quatrefoils, flowers, and other ornaments and foliage.