early medieval art definitions ap art history

animal style

a medieval art form in which animals are depicted in a stylized and often complicated pattern, usually seen fighting with one another

chasing

to ornament metal by indenting into a surface with a hammer

cloisonne

enamelwork in which colored areas are separated by thin bands of metal usually gold or bronze

codex

a manuscript book

colophon

a commentary on the end panel of a Chinese scroll; an inscription at the end of a manuscript containing relevant information on its publication

Fibula

a clasp used to fasten garments

Gospels

The first four books of the New testament that chronicle the life of Jesus Christ

Horror vacui

a type of artwork in which the entire surface is filled with objects, people, deigns, and ornaments in a crowded, sometimes congested way

illuminated manuscript

A manuscript that is hand decorated with painted initials, marginal illustrations, and larger images that add pictorial element to the written text

parchment

a writing surface made from animal skins; particularly fine parchment made of calf skin is called vellum

scriptorium

a place in a monastery where monks wrote manuscripts

zoomorphic

having elements of animal shapes