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458 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Acanthus leaf
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Comes from the Greek Acanthus Leaf. It is a classic decorative carving used on multiple types of furniture from bar stools to bedroom dressers and more.
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Adaptations
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Captures the look of a piece of furniture, but is a variation of the original. Some call them knock-offs.
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Antique
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Usually an item that is 100 or more years old.
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Antique finish
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A finish that is purposely painted or constructed to capture the look and feel of an antique.
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Apron
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Usually the rim underneath a seat or table top that supports the weight. Some have decorative carvings for appeal.
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Armchair
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Some chairs are built two ways: with and without arms. The chair with arms is called an armchair. The arms are for comfort in resting your elbows and arms.
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Armoire
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A large, movable closet with shelves, and occasionally with a hanging rod or television shelf. The French used them as an armor closet. Today, they are an alternative to a bedroom chest.
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Arrow back
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It is usually in a bar stool or chair. Instead of having the rounded spindles on the backs, the spindle is wide and narrow and the ends are shaped like an arrow.
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Attached back pillow
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This is common on upholstered stools and sofas. The back pillow is not removable. It is sewn into the furniture.
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Bachelor's chest
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Very short set of chest drawers. Usually 30 to 36 inches tall.
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Backless
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Usually on a bar stool or chair. It is without a back. Made to go under counters and bars without the back interfering.
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Baker's rack
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Originally used to cool pies after baking. Used in the kitchen for storage. Usually made of wood or metal with glass, stone, slate, or wood tops.
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Ball foot
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Very bottom of a leg. The "ball" is a round styled foot.
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Baluster leg
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Used on bar stools and chairs. Shaped like a vase or Baluster.
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Banding
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Narrow strips of veneer used to make a decorative pattern on table tops and drawer fronts. Usually in a slightly different finish to add an effect to the wood.
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Bar
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Bars are made for storage and seating areas. Usually bar or counter heights. Storage for wines and liqueurs.
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Bar height
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Bar stool that is taller than a counter stool. Usually in the 28" to 34" seat height range.
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Bar stool
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Basically a chair that comes in counter stool and bar stool heights. Some bar stools are stationary, swivel, wood, metal, wood/metal, upholstered, or backless.
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Baroque
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Very heavy, ornamental, and expensive style of furniture. Also used in architecture.
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Barrel chair
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Barrel-shaped chair or bar stool. Looks rustic and nostalgic. Made to appear like a cut out from an actual barrel.
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Baseball stitching
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Primarily used on upholstered furniture. The stitching appears like that of a baseball.
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Batting
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Used to stuff or pad the seat or back of a bar stool, chair, or seat. Usually made from cotton.
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Bedside chest
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Sometimes called a nightstand. Usually has 3 or fewer drawers.
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Bird's eye
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Small spots in wood grain that appear as a bird's eye. Primarily found in Sugar Maple.
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Bergere
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Very high end, comfortable arm chair inspired by the French. Features squab cushions and upholstered back and sides.
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Billiard stool
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A bar stool for a billiards setting. Some have cue holders and billiard style fabrics.
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Bombe
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Small armoire. French Inspired. Features an extruding, round front.
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Bonnet top
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Sometimes found on a China Cabinet top. It is a rounded top crown shaped like a bonnet. Comes from early English and American furniture.
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Buffet
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The base of a China Cabinet that supports a Hutch. Used to store kitchen items.
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Bun feet
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Decorative, carved foot that is shaped like a ball. Found on bar stools, pub tables, bars, and dining tables. Sometimes have a flat side or bottom.
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Burl
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The knot in the wood grain. Sometimes makes a decorative swirl or pattern.
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Cabriole leg
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A style of leg that features an outward curved top that curves back into the base at the foot.
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Captain's stool
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Features a rounded, short back with arm rests and spindles.
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Case piece
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Term used in furniture to represent a piece that is not upholstered.
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Caster
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Small wheel used to make items movable. Found on game chairs.
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Casual
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A very simple, straight line style of furniture. Not very exotic.
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Chamfer
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Sometimes found on the edge of tables. Features a beveled edge that is cut at an angle.
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Channel back
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Chair or Stool with vertical lines sewn into the back. Commonly found on retro furniture.
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China cabinet
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Cabinet that sits on a buffet. Used to show and store dishes.
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Chippendale
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Very ornate, delicately carved style from 18th century England.
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Claw foot
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Foot on furniture that resembles an animals claw.
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Credenza
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Sometimes referred to as a sideboard or server. Has cabinets for storage and display.
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Console
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Table that is usually placed against the wall. Usually narrow in design.
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Contemporary
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New-age, very modern look with a sophisticated appearance.
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Counter height
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Refers to the height of a stool that is lower than a bar stool. Usually within the 24 to 27 inch range.
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Counter stool
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The actual stool that is shorter than a bar stool. Works with counter height pub tables and bars.
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Cupboard
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Storage cabinet sometimes referred to as a buffet and hutch. Usually has doors and is located in the kitchen.
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Distressing
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Finish on wood that gives the appearance of old, antique furniture. Usually shows signs of worm holes and small scratches.
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Dovetail
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Used in joining two pieces of wood. It is a jointed piece that is shaped like a dove’s tail. Smaller on one side than the other.
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Dowel
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Small, wood pin used to join two pieces of wood and make a stronger joint.
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Drop-leaf table
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Has hinges that extend a leaf to make a longer table or fold down for storage.
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Embossing
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The wood is compressed around a mold to look like intricate carvings.
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Etagere
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Decorative shelf used to display items.
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Faux
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The definition is "False". Many manufacturers will make something appear to be real when it’s not. It is called Faux.
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Fiddle-back
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Also referred to as splat-back. The back is shaped like a fiddle.
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Finish
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When the raw material is painted or stained. It is now "Finished" or complete. It is the final coating on the material. Usually a protectant from stains.
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Flare
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The outward curving of a leg. Commonly found on bar stools and chairs.
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Footrest
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The lower brace on a bar stool where the feet "rest". Sometimes covered with metal or brass for durability.
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Fleur De Lis
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The design of three leaves or pedals. The middle pedal stands tall and the others bend away. Dates back to medieval times.
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Fluted
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Circular grooves in a leg or post that is carved to the foot.
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Gallery
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Tables top border or edge that is made of metal or wood.
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Game table
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Refers to a table that is used to dine on one side and game on the other. Has a felt padding on the game side.
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Gathering table
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Table that accepts counter stools instead of chairs. Usually 36" inches high.
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Gimp
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Used to hide tacks and seams in upholstery. Form of fabric fold.
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Glazing
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A processing step where the finish is hand wiped and blended to show highlights in the wood grain.
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Grain
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The natural pattern of the wood. All woods have unique grains.
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Grille
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The wood or metal lattice used in glass doors on china cabinets and bookcases.
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Hampton
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A style of furniture modeled from Colonial or European Style.
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Hand distressing
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A distressing technique that is hand applied to make a piece of furniture appear worn.
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Hutch
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The upper part of the buffet and hutch. Usually has glass doors for displaying china and storage.
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Inlay
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When one type of wood is laid into another to create a two dimensional effect in the wood. Usually found in table tops.
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Keeled cabriole
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Legs feature this sharp edge.
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Lacquer
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Top coat of furniture. It is a protective, clear finish.
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Ladder-back
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Usually has two vertical posts with horizontal braces that make the back appear as a ladder. The back can be constructed of wood or metal.
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Laminated
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When two or more sheets of wood are glued in opposite directions. This makes a wood that is lighter and more pliable than solid wood.
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Lattice
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A design that uses materials that can be constructed in cross hatched or "x" shaped designs. This is a design that is used on chair and bar stool backs.
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Loose pillow back
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When the cushions on furniture are not sewn into the piece and can be removed if necessary.
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Mission style
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This is a style of furniture from the early 20th century. It usually features classic oaks and cherries in very straight line styles.
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Modular seating
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Seating that can be rearranged into different configurations using interchangeable pieces.
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Modern
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Some call this new-age furniture or big city. It is usually sleek in design with vibrant rich colors and straight lines. Usually features silvers and chromes.
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Motion furniture
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Furniture that contain mechanisms that allow the furniture to go into motion. It will either recline, rock, glide, or make other movements.
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Natural
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This is a wood finish that represents the natural colors of the material. It usually only contains a clear coat finish for protection.
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Non-swivel
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Bar stools and chairs are made with and without swivels. The bar stools without swivels are called non-swivel or stationary.
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Novelty
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These items usually represent a collection or sports team.
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Outdoor
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This type of furniture is specifically designed to be used outdoors. It is usually constructed of resins or non-rustable aluminum.
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Parsons chair
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Usually a skirted chair or stool. Also describes a 20th century furniture style.
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Pedestal table
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This table design uses a single pedestal with extruding legs to support its weight.
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Pillow top
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This can be a mattress, chair, or bar stool with an extra layer of padding for comfort.
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Powder coat
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This is the process of applying a dry paint electro statically. After it cures under heat, it forms a skin that is more durable than conventional paint.
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Pub table
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A pub table is a table that is taller than a dining table. The pub table usually measures at least 36 inches and taller.
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Rail
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Horizontal slats in the backs of bar stools and chairs.
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Reeding
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These grooves run up and down a leg in a circular pattern.
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Reproduction
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It is an almost perfect replica of a product . It is a remake of the original.
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Retro
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This type of furniture is styled from the 40's and 50's. It is usually from the diner and drive-in era.
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Round top
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This is a popular backless stool that features a circular top.
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RTA
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Ready to assemble. There is usually a common myth that RTA means cheap, but this is not entirely true. Because there is some assembly required, the shipping and freight from overseas or nationwide is usually less and it makes the prices.
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Rush seat
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This is a wicker or weave seat. It is a common seat on rocking chairs and on some bar stools and chairs.
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Rustic
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This style of furniture is designed to look old. It sometimes has rough, unfinished qualities are simply a rustic style fabric or finish.
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Saddle seat
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This is a seat style that is carved and has a contoured seat. This is one of the most popular backless stool styles. The name comes from a horse saddle.
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Scalloped
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This is an edge that is found on a dining or pub table that is meant for decoration.
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Scroll design
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This is usually molded into the metal to give the furniture a decorative appearance.
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Seat height
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This is the measurement of the actual height of the seat. For example, the counter stools are generally 24 to 26 inches high and the bar stool are usually 28 to 32 inches tall.
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Shaker
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This design came from the "Shakers". This furniture is still widely used and has simple designs and little decoration.
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Side chair
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This is the traditional dining chair. It is usually 18 to 21 inches high.
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Sideboard
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Primarily used in the dining room or kitchen to serve and store dishes.
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Slat back
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This style of bar stools and chairs feature vertical slats in the back made of wood or metal.
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Spindle back
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Common in the traditional type of bar stools and chairs, these backs contain round, thin spindles that run from top to bottom.
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Stacking
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Many commercial chairs need to be stacked on top of each other to conserve space, these chairs and bar stools are called stacking chairs.
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Stretchers
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These are the braces that stretch around the chair and bar stool. They are usually glued or screwed on to make a rigid frame.
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Swivel
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This contraption mounts between the bar stools base and seat, making the stool spin either 180 or 360 degrees. These are usually industrial strength.
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Taper
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This usually describes the contour of the leg found on bar stools, chairs, and tables. It tapers or thins down when it reaches the foot or base.
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Traditional
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This style is a very common one. It uses old world, classic designs with beautiful woods, carvings, and finishes.
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Transitional
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This type of style will blend with contemporary and traditional furniture. It uses many characteristics of each while staying simple enough to be its own genre of furniture.
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Unfinished
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This type of furniture will arrive with no stain or finish. It gives the consumer the opportunity to stain or paint in any fashion needed.
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Veneer
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This construction method used thin layers of wood that are glued together to form a piece that is as strong as solid wood. Veneers can also be constructed to show different patterns and wood types.
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Webbing
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This is the foundation of some seating. It has straps that are woven together and attached to the seat base to support the weight of the seat, while giving enough support to provide a comfortable seating environment.
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Welt chording
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This is a decorative trim piece that is simply a covered fabric cord, sewn into place.
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Windsor
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This is a general styled back that features a curved design and can consist of many different designs.
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Wine cabinet
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Usually a piece of furniture used to store wine and used as a small bar.
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Acanthus leaf
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Popular Greek decorative motif adapted from the acanthus plant. Found in almost all-classic design, notably the capital of the Corinthian column.
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Acorn turning
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Knob, pendant or foot shaped like an acorn, popular in the Jacobean period.
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Adelphi
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(Greek brother) Trademark of the 18th century furniture designer brothers named
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Amorini
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Cupid ornaments on Italian Renaissance furniture.
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Anthemion
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Conventionalized honeysuckle design from a classic Greek decorative motif. (Any conventional flower or leaf design.)
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Apron
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Strip of wood adjoining the base of cabinets, seats and table tops extending between tops of legs or bracket feet.
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Arabesque
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Decorative scrollwork or other rather intricate ornament employing foliage, vases, leaves and fruits, or fantastic animal and human figures. Arabesque won its highest triumph in the Loggia of the Vatican.
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Arcade
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A series of arches, with supporting columns or piers.
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Architrave
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In a classical building, the beam resting directly on the tops of the columns.
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Armoire
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A large movable cupboard or wardrobe, with doors and shelves for storing clothes or other large items. Also called wardrobes.
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Astragal
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A small convex beaded molding usually placed at the junction of a piece of glass and a door.
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Baguette
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A small, convex molding with semicircular contours.
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Bail
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Half-loop metal pull, hanging from metal bolts. First used in America about 1700.
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Ball foot
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End of a turned leg, shaped round and with a hooded effect.
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Balloon back
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Chair style developed by Hepplewhite early in his career.
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Baluster
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A turned, supporting column, generally slender, used as a pillar.
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Banding
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Inlay or marquetry which produces a color or grain contrasting with the surface it decorates.
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Banister-back chair
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Generally maple, often ebonized with vertical split-banisters in the back. Widely used in rural America from 1700 until the end of the century.
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Baroque
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The Italian equivalent of French rococo. Irregularly shaped, overly fantastic design. Used as a general term to denote a style of furniture common in the early 18th century. The word comes from a 16th century Italian architect who was called Barrochio.
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Bas-relief
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Sculpture or carving whose figures project only slightly from the background.
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Beau bummel
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Georgian dressing table for men, named after an English fashion arbiter.
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Bedside chest
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A small bed-high chest with drawers.
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Bell flower
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Conventionalized hanging flower-bud of three, sometimes five, petals carved or, more often inlaid one below the other in strings.
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Bergere
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Comfortable French arm chair with upholstered back and sides and squab cushions. Popular in Louis XIV and Louis XV periods.
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Bibliotheque-basse
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A low cupboard fitted with shelves for books and doors often of glass but sometimes fitted with grilles.
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Bird's-eye
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A marking of small spots often found in certain wood. Used and much prized from the earliest to present times.
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Blanket chest
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Colonial storage chest often used as a bench.
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Block foot
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Square, vertical foot at base of any straight, untapered leg.
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Block front
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A chest composed of a concave center panel flanked by two convex panels.
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Boiserie
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Carved panels used on French pieces of the Ilth century.
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Bombe
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(French) An outward swelling on the furniture. Applies to commodes, bureaus, armoires.
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Bonheur-du-jour
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A small writing table usually on tall legs and sometimes fitted to hold toilet accessories and bibelots.
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Bonnet top
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When the broken-arch pediment of tall case-furniture covers the entire top from front to back, this hood is called a bonnet top.
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Boss
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A circular or oval protuberance for a surface ornament.
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Boston rocker
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An American rocker (19th century) with curved seat, spindle back, and a wide top rail.
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Boulle
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Celebrated designer of the Louis XIV period noted for his inlay of metals and tortoise shell. Boullework is a descriptive phrase.
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Bowback
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One of the types of Windsor chairs popular in America in the 18th century.
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Bow front
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A front that curves outward to appear convex.
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Bracket foot
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Low foot on case goods. Runs both ways from corner, forming a right angle.
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Break front
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A bookcase or china cabinet made of three sections, the center one projecting forward beyond the two end sections. In bookcases, the lower part of the center section sometimes has a desk.
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Brewster chair
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Wooden chair with large turned posts and spindles.
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Bun foot
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A flattened ball, or bun shape, with a slender ankle above. Popular in William and Mary period.
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Bureau
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The French word (from the Latin, burras, red) originally designated as a red cloth covering for writing desks. Later the desk itself. In America the name designates the commonly known dresser.
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Burl
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A tree knot or protruding growth which shows beautifully patterned graining when sliced. Used for inlay or veneer.
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Butterfly table
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Small folding table with splayed legs, generally turned. The top has wing brackets underneath to support drop-leaf wings on either side.
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Byzantine chair
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A three cornered chair originated in the Orient and later used in Italy.
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Cabinet
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Originally a glass fronted cabinet intended for the display of objects d'art.
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Cable
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A molding design resembling intertwined rape.
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Cabriole
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A type of leg which swells outward at the knee and inward at the ankle.
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Camelback
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A sofa back of irregular, curved shape characterized by a large central hump.
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Candlestand
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A small (usually pedestal) and lightweight table with a round top built to chair height. Once used as a portable surface for candles.
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Cane chair
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First produced in England. It was very popular because it was cheap, light and durable. It was first used in America in about 1690.
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Canopy
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A covering, attached to tops of bed posts, consisting of a wood frame covered with fabric.
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Canterbury
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A portable magazine rack named after the Bishop of England.
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Cantonierre
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A bed hanging used in France from the middle of the 16th century. It hung outside the bed curtains to prevent drafts.
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Capping
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A turned ornament used to make furniture more decorative.
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Carlton table
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An 18th century writing table with an adjustable top.
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Cartonierre
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A piece of furniture which took various forms. It usually stood at one end of a writing table to hold papers.
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Cartouche
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An elliptical tablet or scroll containing the name of a king, queen or deity. Also a sculpture or back ornament in the form of an unrolled scroll.
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Carver chair
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Modern term for a 17th century Dutch type armchair made of turned post and spindles.
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Caryatid
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The top member of a pedestal or leg, used as a support, in the form of the human figure conventionalized.
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Cassapanca
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A wooden bench with a built-in chest under the seat.
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Cast iron furniture
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Very popular throughout the 19th century in varying forms from garden furniture and plant stands, to umbrella racks and doorstops. The cast iron bed was manufactured into the 20th century and remains popular today.
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Causeuse
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A small settee popular in early French furniture.
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Cedar chest
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A rectangular storage chest with hinged lid and made of solid cedar or cedar veneer surfaces to prevent moths invasion of woolens. Also, a bride's hope chest in 20th century. Still very popular.
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Cellaret
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A case on legs or a stand for wine bottles.
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Certosina
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Ivory inlay, of Italian origin, no longer in wide usage.
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Chaise lounge
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A French long chair. A double chair. Also referred to as a fainting couch, it is often used in bedrooms.
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Chamfer
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A beveled, angled cutting away of the top portion of any edge.
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Channeling
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A grooved or furrowed effect in wood.
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Chased
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A metal surface ornamented by embossing, engraving, or carving.
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Chesterfield
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Applied to furniture, it denoted a type of sofa. This is a common term in England and Canada.
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Cheval glass/mirror
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A full-length mirror mounted on swivels in a frame capable of being locked in various positions. Traditionally cheval mirrors had candle holders mounted on each side and were used in dressing rooms.
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Chevron
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A V-shaped ornament borrowed from military lexicon.
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Chiffonier
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A French word denoting a lady's worktable, derived from chiffons, meaning rags. It is also used to designate a highboy.
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China cabinet
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Seldom found in America before 1790. A bookcase used for displaying china.
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Chinoiserie
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Painted or lacquered Chinese designs in furniture.
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Cinquefoil
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Five petal design.
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Claw and bell
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Foot of carved animal or bird claw clutching a ball, generally terminating a cabriole leg.
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Coat of arms
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Heraldic insignia, as on a family escutcheon.
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Coffer
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A chest or box covered in leather or some other material and banded with metalwork.
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Colonnade
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A range of columns connected by a horizontal entablature, or cornice, at top.
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Commode
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A chest with doors.
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Connecticut chest
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Low chest, on legs, usually containing a double set of drawers.
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Corbel
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A piece of stone, wood, projecting from a wall, to support a cornice or arch.
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Corner cupboard
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Triangular cupboard made to fit into a corner. It is usually a dining room china cabinet but may also be a curio cabinet for any room.
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Cornice
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The top or finishing molding of a column or piece of furniture.
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Cornucopia
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The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and plenty, used as design motif.
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Court cupboard
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A small cupboard used for storing silver, china, or other precious goods.
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Credence
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An early Italian cabinet used for carving meats or displaying plates. It was the forerunner of the sideboard.
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Credenza
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A sideboard or buffet with drawers or doors.
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Cresting
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Shaped and sometimes perforated ornament on the top of a structure, as in the cresting of a chair.
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Croft
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A small filing cabinet of the late I8th century , it had many small drawers and a writing surface.
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Cross stretcher
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X-shaped stretcher in straight or curved lines. Found on tables, a few chairs and in America on highboys and lowboys.
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Cupid's bow
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A term used to describe the typical top rail of a Chippendale chair back which curves up at the ends and dips slightly in the center.
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Cyma curve
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A curved molding with a reversed curve as its profile.
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Davenport
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An upholsterer in Boston, named Davenport, made such handsome and luxurious overstuffed couches that people began to speak of these couches as Davenports. This word has been replaced by the word sofa.
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Daventry
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A small chest of drawers with a sloping top for writing.
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Dentils
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A classic, decorated design consisting of rectangular blocks with spaces between.
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Disc foot
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A flat, disc-shaped foot used on tables or chairs.
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Dolphin
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One of the heraldic fishes represented as either embowed, counter embowed or extended. Symbolic of love and diligence.
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Dover chest
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Early American hope chest, usually made of maple, oak.
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Dowel
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Headless pin, usually made of wood, used in the construction of furniture.
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Dowry chest
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Made to store the trousseau of a prospective bride. American examples include the Hadley chest, the Connecticut chest, the painted Pennsylvania-German chest, the Lane Company cedar chest.
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Draught chair
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Early English equivalent of a wing chair.
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Dresser
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A species of a sideboard. Also for the service of food or the storage of dishes. The term used today indicates a chest for the storage of cosmetics or clothing.
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Drop front
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Hinged front of desk which lowers to form a level writing surface.
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Drop leaf
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Table built with hinged extension leaves which lower when not in use.
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Drop seat
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A concave seat the middle and front of which are lower than the side.
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Drum table
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Circular top table on a tripod base with a deep skirt that may contain drawers.
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Duck foot
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Webbed foot attached to a table leg which curves outward.
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Dumb waiter
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A dining room stand with normally three circular trays increasing toward the bottom. Also, a pulley type elevator that brought food up from the basement kitchen to the first floor dining room.
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Dustboard
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Horizontal board placed between drawers of a commode or similar piece to exclude dust.
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Dutch dresser
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A cabinet with open shelves on upper portion, drawers or cupboard below.
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Dutch foot
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A simple pad used as the foot on cabriole legs.
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Ebeniste
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An ordinary French term for a cabinet maker.
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Ebonile
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To stain wood to look like ebony.
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Eclectic
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Word coined last half of the 20th century; infers artful mixture of decorating styles.
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Egg and dart
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A classic design, consisting of alternating eggs and darts, used mostly in cornices.
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Encarpa
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A festoon of fruit and flowers commonly used to decorate friezes, other flat spaces.
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Endive
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A carved leaf design following the lines of the endive plant.
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Escritoire
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A writing desk containing, with other drawer compartments and pigeon holes, one or more secret ones. The English word secretary was derived from this.
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Escutcheon
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Name applied to a shield upon which a coat of arms or other devices are emblazoned.
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Etagere
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Original a small work table consisting of shelves or tray sets one above the other. More recently, an open shelf for what-nots. May be of varying heights.
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Evolute
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Recurrent wave motif for a band, frieze or cornice.
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Fan panern
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Description of the back of a chair when fitted with ribs somewhat resembling the stalks of a half-open fan.
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Farthingale chair
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An armless upholstered chair for ladies wearing enormous skirts of early Stuart era.
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Fauteuil
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A French arm chair which, unlike the Bergere, has open spaces between the arms and seat.
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Festoon
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A garland or length of foliage, flowers or branches entwined or bound together, usually hanging in a curl between two points.
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Finial
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A decorative finishing device, usually foliated, for the terminals of projecting uprights.
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Flambeau
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A carved decoration in the shape of a flaming torch.
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Flemish scroll
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A baroque form with the curve broken by an angle.
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Fleur-de-lis
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A French emblem in the form of a conventionalized floral design.
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Filigree
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Interlaced wirework decoration of scrolls and arabesques.
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Fluting
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A grooving on any horizontal or perpendicular surface.
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Flying disk
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A flat disk with two outspread wings. A prominent Egyptian motif.
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Foil
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A Gothic term denoting the intersection point of the junction of circular areas, as in trefoil.
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Foliated
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Decorated with leaf designs of an intricate pattern.
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Four poster
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A colonial bed with posts extended upward, may or may not hold a canopy.
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French bed
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A bed in which the ends roll outward. It has no posts.
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Fret
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A piece of perforated ornamental work.
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Functionalism
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Furniture design based on use rather than on ornamentation.
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Gadroon
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A carved molding of alive or ruffle form used in the edges of table tops and chairs.
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Gargoyle
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A grotesque carved figure, or head, which originally carried rainwater from the gutters.
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Garland
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An architectural ornament representing foliage, flowers or fruits plaited and tied together with ribbons.
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Gateleg table
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A table where the folding leaf is upheld by a leg swinging out like a gate. A development of the Jacobean period, it was popular in Colonial America.
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Gesso
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A bas-relief decoration, made out of plaster, which, after hardening is painted or gilded.
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Girondole
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A round, convex mirror used as a wall ornament.
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Glastonbury chair
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An X-framed, ecclesiastical Gothic seat with sloping paneled back. Arms had a drooping curve in which a priest's vestments rested.
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Glyph
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A short, vertical groove or channel. It was common in Doric architecture.
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Gobelin
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Name of a French tapestry and the Parisian factory which produced it.
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Griffin
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A chimerical beast employed in decoration in early Georgian.
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Gueridon
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A small table, or tabouret, with round top for holding candles or small articles.
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Guilloche
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An ornament formed by two or more intertwining bands or interlacing figure eights frequently enclosing rosettes or other details.
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Hadley chest
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A colonial chest with a drawer. Sometimes used as a hope or dowry chest.
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Handkerchief table
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A single leaf table with leaf and top triangular in shape. Closed, the table fits in a corner, opened, it is a small square.
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High relief
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This term refers to deep carving of any plane surface of any material.
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Highboy
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A high chest of drawers, deriving its name from haut bois, which in French means high wood.
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Hitchcock chair
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American chair, 1820-1850, made with oval top rail and cane seat. Named for designer, Lambert Hitchcock.
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Hope chest
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Colloquial American term widely used for dowry chest.
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Husks
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Ornamentation of flowers or foliage usually used in pendant manner.
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Hutch
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Enclosed structure, often raised on uprights, or an enclosed structure of more than one tier.
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Imbrications
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Ornaments which take the form of fishes' scales or the segmented edge of tiles that overlap.
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Inlay
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A design of contrasting woods, ivory, or other materials, set into a surface.
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Intaglio
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A design or illustration made by cutting into the surface of the material.
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Intarsia
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An Italian type of decoration, similar to marquetry where a design is sunk into an entire surface.
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Ionic
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Designating or of a Greek style of architecture characterized by ornamental scrolls on the capitals.
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Japanning
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European and American version of Oriental lacquering often substituting paint for the layers of varnish.
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Kidney desk
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A desk or a table with curved front and a top shaped like a kidney bean.
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Klismos
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A Greek chair design featuring a concave back and legs.
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Knob turning
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A turning resembling a series of knobs or bosses.
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Lacche
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The word lacche is used in Italian to cover all painted decoration applied to furniture whether or not it has the hard glass of Oriental lacquer.
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Ladder-back
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A chair-back in which horizontal cross-rails, used instead of a splat, give a ladder effect.
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Lambrequin
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A short piece of hanging drapery, often imitated in metal or wood for decorative purposes.
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Laureling
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A decorative feature using the laurel leaf motif as its basis.
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Linenfold panel
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A design for a panel consisting of a combination of straight moldings in the shape of folds of linen.
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Linters
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Short cotton fibers clinging to cotton seed after it has been ginned. Used for early mattress filling.
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Low relief
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This term refers to shallow carving of any plane surface of any material.
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Lozenge
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A diamond-shaped decorative panel. It was the Middle English word for stone.
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Lunette
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An ornament or mural decoration shaped like a half moon.
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Lyre
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A stringed instrument of the harp class. Its form was used as a decorative motif by Ouncan Phyfe and others.
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Marlborough legs
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A heavy, straight leg used by Thomas Chippendale and others.
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Marquetry
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Inlay work. Decorations formed by patterns of woods, metals, ivory or tortoise shell sunk into the surfaces of furniture.
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Menuisier
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The term corresponds roughly to the English carpenter or joiner.
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Modillion
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An enriched block, or horizontal bracket, used in series under a Corinthian or composite cornice and sometimes, with less ornament, under an ionic order.
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Molding
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Ornamented or shaped strips, either sunk into or projecting from a surface. Used mostly for decoration.
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Morris chair
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A large, easy chair with arms usually extending beyond the back and adjustable beyond the back and adjustable to various angles, It was named for its inventor, William Morris.
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Mother-of-pearl
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Inlay of nacreous shell slices, often used on early 19th century American fancy chairs, tables, mirrors, etc.
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Motif
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A dominant feature or theme in artistry or craftsmanship.
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Nested tables
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Three or four identical lightweight tables sized from small to largest, each one nesting under the next.
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Niello
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The art of decorating metal plates by incising designs on them and filling incised lines with alloy.
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Nulling
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A projecting detail of a carved ornament, similar to gadrooning.
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Objet d'art
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A small object of artistic value.
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Occasional table
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A term applied loosely to any small table.
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Ogee
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A compound curve, the directions of which are opposite to those of the Cyma curve.
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Onlay
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Ornament applied to the surfaces of woods or other kinds of material.
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Open stock
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Individual pieces which can be sold separately or grouped (correlated) to form sets to the buyer's taste.
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Ormolu
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A metal resembling gold. Used as mounts and decorative effects on furniture.
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Ottoman
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Low upholstered seat, without arms or back, used as a footstool.
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Ovolo
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A continuous ornament - In the form of an egg which generally decorates the molding called quarter-round. Eggs are often separated from one another by pointed darts.
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Oxbow, oxbow front
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Often used in the finest 18th century New England case furniture such as chests of drawers, secretaries, etc.
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Palmette
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A carved or painted ornament resembling a palm leaf; an anthemion.
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Papier mache
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Molded paper pulp used for many small articles and particularly suitable for japanning and polishing.
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Parquetry
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Furniture inlaid with a geometrical cube design in the manner of a parquet floor.
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Paterna
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A dish like ornament often worked in bas-relief on a frieze.
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Patina
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A surface texture produced by age, wear or rubbing.
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Pedestal table
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A table on a round center support.
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Pediment
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The space or structure above a cornice. The classic pediment, seen in the conventional Greek temple, was triangular in shape. It is found on the tops of secretaries and grandfather's clocks, usually as a broken pediment.
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Pembroke table
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A long square-sided table with oval or square ends, the leaves at the side of which drop almost to the floor. Named for Lady Pembroke. In a matched or parallel series.
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Pendant
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A hanging ornament, usually.
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Pennsylvania dutch
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The name applies to German settlers in Pennsylvania. Their furniture is distinctive since their cabinet makers worked in soft woods, which they painted and often decorated with floral patterns and other motifs from the vocabulary of peasant design.
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Pie crust table
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A table so named because the edge is finished off in a series of serpentines or curves, as cooks crimp the edges of a pie.
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Pier glass
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Large, window-height mirror suspended above a table between two windows.
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Pineapple
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Carved pineapple-shaped ornament found frequently in early 19th century American bed posts.
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Pinnaclea
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carved ornament at the top or crest of a piece of furniture.
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Plaque
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A flat, thin ornament, usually made of metal or porcelain and inserted into wood.
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Plinth
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Square or octagonal base of a chest or other column, solid to the floor. Primarily, a stand for a plant, sculpture, or other 3-dimensional item.
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Plaster
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Flat column superimposed on any plain surface to serve as a support for a cornice or a pediment.
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Poppy-head
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Decorative finial of a bench or desk end as in ecclesiastical woodwork.
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Portiere
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A curtain hung in a doorway.
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Poudresse
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Small table with mirrored lid covering space for cosmetics.
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Press
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Broadly, a tall, enclosed, and doored structure comparable to a wardrobe.
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Prie-dieu chair
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A high-backed chair of Italian origin with a narrow shelf, rail or pad upon which the user may rest his arms while kneeling in the seat.
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Pull-up chair
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A term for a small light arm chair. Sometimes called an occasional chair.
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Quatrefoil
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An ornamental figure, foliation, perforation or panel divided by cusps, or featherings, into four foils, leaves or lobes.
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Quirk
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A narrow groove channel molding sometimes called a sunken fillet.
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Rail
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The horizontal piece in framing or paneling. In a chair back the top member supported on the stiles.
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Rake
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The angle or slant of a chair back or of a non-vertical table leg.
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Reclining chair
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An upholstered chair or rocker that reclines.
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Reeding chair
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The reverse of fluting. A decoration consisting of parallel lines formed by beaded mountings projecting from the surface. Sheraton, Adam and Phyfe used it.
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Refectory table
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A long, narrow table originally used in dining rooms of religious orders. It was later shortened in length and provided with underleaves.
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Relief
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Any ornamentation raised above the surface or background.
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Restoration
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A proper renewal of a piece by a candid replacement of hopelessly damaged or missing parts.
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Ribbsnd-back
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A chair with an entwined ribbon motif ornament.
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Rinceau
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A classic ornamental device composed of intertwining stalks of acanthus or other foliage.
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Rising sun
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When a fan-shaped ornament is carved half -circle and the resulting spray of stalks suggest sunrays.
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Rococo
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A style of decoration distinguished by a profusion of meaningless, but often delicately executed, ornaments in imitation of rock work, shells, foliage and massed scrolls.
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Roll-top desk
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Similar to a cylinder-top desk but the writing table and fittings are enclosed by a curved slatted panel.
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Romanesque
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Decorative scroll work or other intricate ornamentation derived from triangles, circles and other geometric figures. It sprang from the round arch and general massiveness of Romance architecture and reached its highest form in the 12th century.
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Romayne
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Renaissance ornamentation featured by human heads on medallions.
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Rosme
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An ornament resembling the rose. A painted or sculptured architectural ornament with parts circularly arranged like rows of leaves in a circle around a bud.
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Roundabout chair
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Corner chair with triangle front and usually a circular back.
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Roundel
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Circular ornament enclosing sundry formal devices on medieval and later woodwork.
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Runner
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The curved rocker of a rocking chair. Once made solely of wood but now largely of metal.
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Rush seat
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A seat woven of rushes. Used in America from the earliest times, generally with simple furniture.
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Sabre leg
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A term used to describe a sharply curving leg in the classical style which has also been called scroll shaped. It is generally reeded.
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Saddle seat
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A chair seat hallowed out to resemble a saddle.
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Saltire
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A straight, X-shaped stretcher used on chairs or tables.
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Sawbuck table
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A table with an X-shaped frame either plain or scrolled.
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Scallop
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A carved ornament in the shape of a shell used widely on rococo pieces.
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Sconce
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A general name for a wall-light consisting of a back plate and either a tray or branched candleholders, usually metal.
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Scoop seat
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A chair with a seat which has been hallowed or formed to fit the body.
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Scroll
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A spiral or convoluted line used for ornamentation.
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Scroll foot
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A foot in the form of a spiral line; not fully articulated with part above it.
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Secretary
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A drop front desk, often with book shelves above and drawers below.
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Segmental
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A less than semicircular, unbroken pediment with an abruptly ending curve.
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Seignorial chair
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An imposing highback seat for the master of a house.
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Serpentine front
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Front of a commode, desk or bureau shaped in a waving curve.
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Serrated
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A saw tooth or zigzag ornament that is one form of a notched dentil.
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Serving table
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A long, narrow table with drawers for silver, napery and crystal.
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Settee
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A long ornately carved 17th century seat or bench with a high back and often with arms. Today, usually length of a love seat.
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Settle
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Colonial all wood bench or settee with solid arms. The pilgrims brought it from England.
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Shaker furniture
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This furniture, while provincial, is of such sheer simplicity, so pure in line, so lean and functional in form, so well proportioned and soundly constructed, that it is much prized today. Made by the early 19th century Shakers, it is usually in pine, maple, walnut or fruitwoods.
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Shield back
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A chair back shaped like a shield.
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Sideboard
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A dining room piece, with a long flat top and a superstructure, equipped with drawers.
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Skirt
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A wood or fabric flounce at bottom of a furniture piece.
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Slant-front desk
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A frame or chest of drawers with a top section as an enclosed desk for writing, the hinged lid sloping at a 45-degree angle when closed.
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Slat back
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Type of back, used in early American chairs and settees, composed of horizontal slats attached to back parts.
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Sleepy hollow chair
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Large upholstered chair with hollowed seat, high back and solid low arms.
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Slip-seat
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A removable upholstered seat for a chair, used especially in dining and light pull-up chairs.
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Sofa
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The sofa was first introduced into Italy in the late 17th century. I n fact, many Italian and early French sofas resembled a row of chairs joined together. Long sofas with carved wooded backs, and usually rush seats, were popular in the 18th century.
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Sofa table
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A small, narrow, rectangular table with two front drawers in the apron and hinged leaves at each end. First made in America about 1800. More recently, a narrow table to be placed alongside the back of sofa.
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Spade foot
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A rectangularly shaped tapered foot resembling a spade.
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Spandrel
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An arch form bounded by a horizontal and vertical frame such as was used by Sheraton in some chair backs.
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Spindle
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A slender turned baluster, often tapered or molded.
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Spinet desk
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A writing desk designed after a small musical instrument of the colonial period. When the instrument wore out, the keyboard was removed and the cabinet used as a writing desk, for which the recessed space, formerly housing the keys, was happily adapted.
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Splat
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The central member of a chair back, also called a splad.
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Splayed
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A pitched spread or slant; a surface canted outward, beveled or angled.
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Splint seat
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A seat made of oak or hickory strips interlaced. Used in furniture through the 18th century.
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Spiral leg
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A leg carved in the shape of a rope twist or a spiral.
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Spool bead
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A continuous turning having the form of a series of connected beads.
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Spoon back
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A chair back which is spooned or shaped to fit contours of human body.
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Stamps
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Various names and letters are often found stamped on French furniture made in the 18th century or later. These stamps are a most important means of identifying the makers of individual pieces of furniture.
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Step table
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A table resembling a one-step stair commonly used at the end of a sofa. The top shelf being shorter and higher.
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Strapwork
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A narrow band folded, crossed, and sometimes interlaced. Also an ornament consisting of a narrow band in convolutions similar to those of a leather strap thrown at hazard.
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Straw-work
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A method of decorating furniture with tiny strips of bleached and colored straws to form landscapes, geometrical patterns, etc. in the 17th century.
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Stretcher
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The underbracing of chairs and tables taking and H or X - diagonal - form.
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Stripping
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Removing the old surface or finish from a piece of furniture.
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Suite
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A complete set of matched furniture.
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Swag
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A festoon of flowers, fruit or draperies resembling a garland.
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Swing leg
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A hinged or folding leg used to support the drop leaf of a table.
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Swivel chair
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A chair which revolves on a stationary platform or on legs.
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Tabourette
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A stool or small seat, usually without arms or back, used as a stand.
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Tambour
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A desk with a secretarial (shelved) top and sliding panels replacing the grille.
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Taper leg
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A leg which diminishes in thickness as it approaches the foot.
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Tavern table
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Sturdy, rectangular table on four legs, usually braced with stretchers. Much used in I8th century taverns.
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Tester
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Top framework of a high-post canopy or draped bed, of wood or fabric.
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Therm leg
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A square or four cornered tapered leg used on chairs or tables.
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Tier table
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An occasional (usually pedestal based) table with 2 or 3 tiered round tops of graduated size.
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Tilt-top
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A small table, with the top hinged to a pedestal base permitting it to hang vertically when not in use.
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Torchere
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A floor lamp designed to throw light upward. In early times, it was any stand that held a light.
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Trail
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Undulating bands of formalized leaf, berry or floral pattern.
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Tree-of-life
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Carved tree or vine design with fruit and often birds or animals in foliage.
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Trefoil
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A three-leaved or three-cusped ornament usually contained within a circle.
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Trespolo
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Elegant three-legged tables usually designed to stand against a wall.
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Trestle
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A braced frame, forming the whole support for a table top.
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Tripod
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A three legged stand for a pedestal table. Adam and Chippendale favored it.
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Triptych
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A three part, hinged mirror or small screen inspired by alter pieces.
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Trivet
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A three legged stand or small table normally flanking a fireplace. It now often refers to a wall decoration or a heat-resistant stand for hot objects.
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Trompe d'oefl
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A French phrase meaning fool the eye. Usually a realistically painted surface which gives a three-dimensional effect.
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Trumpet leg
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A leg shaped like a trumpet and having its characteristic flared profile.
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Trundle bed
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A low bed of colonial days which, during the daytime, was rolled under a larger bed. Just as popular in 21st century.
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Tuckaway table
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A hinged leaf gate-leg table with cross legs which fold into each other as compactly as if tucked away.
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Tudor rose
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A decorative motif compounded of the White Rose and the Red Rose.
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Tulip
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A design in the shape of a tulip, carved or painted on American furniture, especially Shaker.
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Turning
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The shaping of legs or trim obtained by using a lathe. It is one of the most venerable wood working processes.
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Upholster
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To fit, as furniture, with coverings, padding, springs, etc.
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Uprights
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The outer vertical posts of a chair.
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Urn
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A vase-shaped receptacle also used for ornament, especially on sideboards, or as finial of a broken pediment.
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Valance
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A horizontal cross section of draperies.
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Vanity
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A low, drop-center ladies' dressing table with an attached mirror and drawers and matching pull-up bench.
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Varguendo
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A fall or drop front desk of Spanish origin popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Veneer
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Thin sheets of wood applied to the surface for decorative effect or to improve the appearance of furniture.
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Vis-a-vis
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A tete-a-tete chair in which two sitters face oppositely, sometimes referred to as a Gossip Chair.
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Vitrine
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A glass-front china cabinet used mostly to display fine pieces.
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Volute
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A spiral, scroll-like ornament on Ionic and Corinthian capitals.
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Wainscot chair
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An Elizabethan oak chair, the back of which is paneled like the wainscoting of a wall. These chairs are massive, ornately carved with strap work.
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Wash stands
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Specially adapted for bedroom use after 1750. A cupboard or chest of drawers on four legs with a basin sunk in the top.
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Welsh cupboard
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A cabinet with large enclosed storage base and upper part of open shelves.
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What-not
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A portable stand with four uprights enclosing shelves, in use after about 1800 for books, ornaments, etc.
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Wheat
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Carved ornamentations representing three ears of wheat. It was extensively used by Hepplewhite.
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Windsor chair
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A chair with a wooden or rush seat, pegged legs, and back of turned spindles. Backs may be fan, hoop or comb type.
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Wing chair
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An upholstered chair with a high back, stuffed arms, and wing shaped protectors at head level protruding from the back over the arms. Introduced in America before 1725.
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X-chair
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An ancient folding-type chair dating back to Egypt, Rome and the Middle Ages.
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X-stretcher
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A crossed stretcher at the bottom of a chair or table.
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Yorkshire chair
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17th century carved side chair native to Yorkshire, England with turned front legs and stretchers; it derived from the wainscot chair.
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Yorkshire dresser
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Dresser or cupboard, of oak or teal, with a low back.
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Zenana
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Furniture reserved for the part of the house in which women and girls were secluded in ancient Persia.
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Zig-zag
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A molding with a series of frequent sharp turns from side to side.
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