specular stone

Definitions

1. 1

   A type of transparent stone (lapides speculares) that was used in classical times for…

   A type of transparent stone (lapides speculares) that was used in classical times for glazing, adding sparkle to floor coverings, etc. Various modern authors have identified this stone as selenite, talc, or mica.

   • Specular Stones were a shining kind of Substance, and (according to Basil ) transparent like the Air.
   • The servants removed all the first tables, brought in others, then strewed the floor with saw-dust tinged with crocus and vermilion, and (what I had never seen before) with specular stone beaten to powder.
2. 2

   Any transparent or translucent stone.

   • They were furnished with wooden sashes in which were placed transparent or specular stones. These were of various kinds:
   • The glass (ϋαλοϛ), in coffins of which Herodotus (iii., 24) says the Ethiopians called μακροϐίοι inclosed their dead, which was dug among them in great abundance and easily worked, was, of course, one or other of these specular stones.
   • Specular stones were minerals such as selenite (gypsum) or micas that could be cut into thin and transparent sheets, which Roman craftsmen used to seal windows with or in greenhouses.

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