Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Plumae

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

PLUMAE. The scales in a corslet or cuirass, when formed in imitation of a bird's feathers, as in the annexed illustration (Plumae/1.1), from a bas-relief which originally decorated the arch of Trajan, from whence it was removed by Constantine to the one which bears his name. Virg. Aen. xi. 771. Sallust. Fragm. ap. Serv. ad l.

2. Ornaments, either embroidered, or sewed on, or woven into the fabric of a piece of cloth, serving as a coverlet to a pillow, cushion, or other object, in order to produce a rich and fanciful pattern. (Mart. xiv. 146. Prop. iii. 7. 50.) It has not been satisfactorily ascertained what these plumae were, whether ornaments of gold, or tapestry patterns, or real feathers of different colours sewed on the fabric in the same manner as now practised in India and China. Professor Becker inclines to the latter interpretation (Gallus. p. 9. n. 15. Lond. 1844.).

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  Plumae/1.1