Lacunaria, Lacuaria
or
Laquearia. The Latin name for the panelled
ceilings of rooms which were formed by placing planks across the beams of the roof, whereby
hollow spaces were produced. These spaces were covered with wood or ivory, or ornamented with
sculptured reliefs or pictures; occasionally they were even gilded or inlaid with plates of
gold (
Hor. Carm. ii. 18, 1). In
banqueting-rooms they were sometimes so formed that the panels could be slipped aside to let
flowers, wreaths, and other complimentary presents fall in showers on the guests below. See
Suet.
Nero, 31; and the article
Palatium.