BALCONY

(It. balcone.) In Architecture, a projection from the external wall of a house, borne by columns or consoles, usually placed before windows or openings. BALUACHl' NO. (It. a canopy.) In Architecture, a species of canopy' over the principal altar of a church, similar to that at St. Peter's, where it is supported by columns;or that of St. Sulpice at Paris, where it is suspended from above. It succeeded to the ancient cihorium (see that word), which was a cupola supported on four columns, still to be seen at many of the altars in Rome. Bernini may claim the merit of its invention. The height of that which he erected in St. Peter's is 128 feet, and being entirely of bronze weighs near 00 tons. It was built by order of the Pope Bar her in i, from the robbery of the Pantheon, and occasioned the bitter sarcasm — " Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barber in i." [s. 132]