EMBLĒMA

( ἔμβλημα , ἔμπαισμα ), an inlaid ornament. The art of inlaying was employed in producing beautiful works of two descriptions, viz.;—1st, those which resembled our marquetry, buhl, and Florentine mosaics; and 2dly, those in which crusts ( crustae ), exquisitely wrought in bas-relief and of precious materials, were fastened upon the surface of ve els or other pieces of furniture. To the latter cla of productions belonged the cups and plates which Verres obtained by violence from the Sicilians, and from which he removed the emblems for the purpose of having them set in gold instead of silver.