Term
|
Definition
| the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, specifically located in Prague; demonstrates the adaptability of the Gothic hall-church design for non-Christian use |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the passage (walkway) around the apse in a basilica or around the central space in a central-plan building |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the practice of creating symbolic representations without images of human figures; commonly found in Islamic art |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| decoration made of interwoven animals or serpents, often found in Celtic and early Medieval Northern European art |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a large semicircular or polygonal niche protruding from the end wall of a building |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a molded band framing an arch, or a series of stone blocks that rest directly on the columns |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an unroofed interior courtyard or room in a Roman house, sometimes having a pool or a garden, sometimes surrounded by columns; can also be the open courtyard in front of a church |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a large structure used in Mesoamerica for over 2,700 years to play the Mesoamerican ballgame |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the type of tracery in which mullions are fitted into an opening in the wall to make a frame for stained glass windows |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a structure with an axial plan, usually includes a narthex, nave, side aisles and an aspe |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a subterranean burial ground consisting of tunnels on different levels, having niches for urns and sarcophagi and often incorporating rooms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any structure designed with a primary central space surrounded by symmetrical areas on each side (eg: a rotunda) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the topmost zone of a wall with windows in a basilica extending above the aisles roofs; provides direct light into the nave |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an open space within a monastery surrounded by an arcade or colonnaded walkway, often having a fountain and gardens |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship in China which stressed love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a square or octagonal jade tube with a cylindrical hole in the center; a symbol of the earth it was used for ritual worship and astronomical observations in China |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a philosophical system advocating a life of complete simplicity and naturalness and of noninterference with the course of natural events, in order to attain a happy existence in harmony with the Tao |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an arched bridge above the aisle roof that extends from the upper nave wall, where the lateral thrust of the main vault is greatest, down to a solid pier |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a long, narrow, horizontal painting or text (or combination thereof) common in Chinese and Japanese art and of a size intended for individual use |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a capital displaying a figural composition of a narrative scene |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an arch of more than a half-circle common in Western Islamic architecture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the banning or destruction of religious images in Byzantium during the eighth and ninth century |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| from the Greek for "lover of images" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the partition screen in a Byzantine/Orthodox church situated between the altar and the nave; used to conceal parts of the liturgy laymen were not allowed to see |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an image representing a sacred figure or event in the Byzantine, and later Orthodox, Church; often venerated by the faithful, who believed them to have miraculous powers to transmit messages from God |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a painting on paper or parchment used as an illustration and/or decoration in Medieval books; richly colored, often supplemented by gold and other precious materials |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a precious stone that is typically a shade of green; primarily used in carvings |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the vertical element found on both sides of an opening in a wall, and supporting an arch or lintel |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a cube-shaped building in Mecca, the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine, into which is built the black stone believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham. Muslims turn in its direction when praying |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a tall, narrow window crowned by a sharply pointed arch, typically found in Gothic architecture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a horizontal element of any material carried by two or more vertical supports to form an opening |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the English word used for the Chinese wenren or the Japanese bunjin, referring to well educated artists who enjoyed literature, calligraphy and painting as a pastime |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| light encircling or emanating from the entire figure of a sacred person |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a church, chapel, or shrine build over the grave of a martyr or the site of a great miracle |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| birthplace of Muhammad and spiritual center of Islam |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a recess or niche that distinguishes the wall oriented toward Mecca in a mosque |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a high platform or pulpit in a mosque |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a slender vertical element or colonnette that divides a window into subsidiary sections |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the vestibule or entrance porch of a church |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the central space of a basilica, two or three stories high and usually flanked by aisles |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the representation of a standing figure praying with outstretched and upraised arms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an East Asian reliquary tower built with successively smaller, repeated stories; each story is usually marked by an elaborate projecting roof |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the concave triangular section of a vault that forms the transition between a square or polygonal space and the circular base of a dome |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a masonry support made up of many stones, or rubble and concrete, often square or rectangular in plan, and capable of carrying very heavy architectural loads |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the type of tracery that involves cutting holes in the wall to fit the stain glass windows exactly |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| plump, naked little boys who are often winged; can be called a cupid or a cherub |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the mosque wall oriented towards Mecca, indicated by the mihrab |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a four-lobed decorative pattern common in Gothic art and architecture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| masonry which demarcates the junction of a groin vault; may function to reinforce the groin vault or may be purely decorative |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a circular window decorated with tracery symmetrical about the center |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a stone coffin often decorated with relief sculpture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a room in a monastery for writing or copying manuscripts |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| passage or open corridor of a church, that parallels the main space, usually on both sides and is delineated by a row, or arcade, of columns or piers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an ancient trade route spanning 4,000 miles between China and the Mediterranean |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Latin for "hide stripped from an animal"; used to describe fragments of older architecture or sculptured reused in a secondary context |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a Scandinavian wooden structure with four huge timbers at its core |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a mask with a dragon or animal-like face common as a decorative motif in Chinese art |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the small pieces of stone, glass, or other object that is pieced together with many others to create a mosaic |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the arm of a cruciform church, perpendicular to the nave |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a pictorial or sculpted image representing the genealogy of Christ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a column, pier, or post found at the center of a large portal or doorway, supporting the lintel |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the area over a door enclosed by an arch and a lintel often decorated with sculpture of mosaic |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the monumental west-facing entrance of a church |
|
|
