Glossary of Terms

Acanthus Leaf   

A long, narrow feathery leaf derived from a plant indigenous to the Mediterranean, found in ancient Greek & Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical art and architecture.

Anthemion          

An ancient Greek motif based on the honeysuckle flower.

Apron

A horizontal section under the top of a table, on the bottom edge of the façade of a case piece, or on the bottom edge of the front seat rail of a chair. Sometimes shaped. Also known as a skirt.

Baluster

A vase-shaped support. A row of balusters surmounted by a handrail is called a balustrade.

Belleek 

An eggshell-thin porcelain with an iridescent clear glaze.

Bohemian-Style Glass 

Another term for overlay glass.

Boss 

A small, slightly projecting wooden ornament that is oval or round in form and typically molded.  Used to decorate furniture.

Britannia Metal 

A silver-white alloy composed of copper, antimony and tin. 

Cabriole Leg

An S-shaped leg, typically terminating in a foot in the form of a pad, slipper, paw, scroll, or claw and ball. 

Cartouche 

An ornamental device consisting of a tablet, sometimes bearing a coat of arms, surrounded by an elaborate frame. 

Caryatid 

A column-like support in the form of a classical female figure. 

Cased Glass 

A type of layered glass in which the outer layer is blown first and then another layer is blown inside. 

Caster 

A small wheel attached to the bottom of the leg of a chair, table or case piece to facilitate movement. Typically made of wood, brass or ceramic. 

Center Table 

A round, oval or rectangular table made to stand in the middle of a room. 

Chasing 

Decoration in low relief, achieved by hammering the silver or silverplate from the outside. In the process of hammering, the metal bulges forth slightly. 

Coin Silver 

Silver that is 900 to 1000 parts (90%) silver. 

Console Table 

A table with only two or three legs that must be secured to a wall for additional support. 

Cornice 

A horizontal molding crowning a case piece. 

Diaperwork 

A repeating pattern of lozenges, or diamonds. 

Ebonized 

A term describing wood that has been stained in imitation of ebony.

Embossing 

Decoration in high relief, achieved by hammering the silver from the inside. In the process of hammering, the metal is pushed out to form the ornamental motifs. Also known as repoussé. 

Enamel 

Colored glaze used to decorate ceramics. Also applies to a colored glass paste used to decorate metal or glass. 

Engraving 

Decoration of thin lines cut into the surface of silver and other metals. 

E.P.N.S. 

Initials standing for "Electro-Plated Nickel Silver."

Escutcheon 

Frame around a keyhole in a drawer or cupboard door.

Étagère 

A set of shelves used for the display of decorative objects. Frequently the shelves graduate in size. 

Festoon 

A garland of fruits, flowers or leaves suspended from two points. 

Flashed Glass 

A type of layered glass in which a thin outer layer is blown over the exterior. 

Flat Chasing 

Low-relief (slightly raised) decoration on silver. 

Flint-Enamel

A streaky glaze in colors of brown, blue, green and yellow. 

Fluting 

Parallel, vertical, concave channels derived from a classical column. 

Gadrooning 

A continuous band of parallel narrow, bulging, ovoid forms. 

Gentleman’s Chair 

A large armchair made as part of a suite of furniture for the parlor. 

Gilding 

Gold decoration on furniture, ceramics, glass or metal. 

Girandoles 

A set of matched candle fixtures made to stand on a mantelpiece, usually consisting of two candlesticks and a candelabrum. Typically made of gilt bronze or brass and hung with cut-glass prisms. 

Hall Chair 

An armless chair with tall back and wooden seat. Sometimes the seat is hinged, lifting to reveal a small compartment underneath. 

Hall Stand 

A tall stand fitted with a mirror, pegs or hooks for hanging hats and scarves, umbrella holders, and sometimes a small drawer for gloves. 

Lady’s Chair 

A chair with low seat and small brackets at the sides, made as part of a suite of furniture for the parlor.

Library Table 

A writing table made for a library.  Similar to a center table but fitted with drawers and featuring a leather-covered top. 

Lounge 

A term used during the late Victorian period to describe a day bed. 

Marquetry 

A veneer composed of various shapes of wood in contrasting colors that form a pictorial design. 

Nickel Silver 

A silver-white alloy composed of copper, nickel and zinc. 

Ormolu 

A bronze or brass mount with gilding. 

Overglaze Enamel 

Describes a colored enamel applied over a clear lead glaze. 

Overlay Glass 

Glass made in two or more layers of contrasting colors that are cut through to expose the under layers. 

Overmantel Mirror 

A mirror made to hang over a mantelpiece, with the bottom of the frame resting directly on the mantel shelf.

Parian 

Porcelain with a marble-like texture resulting from a high percentage of feldspar. 

Parquetry 

A veneer forming a geometric pattern, achieved by arranging the wood so that the grain runs in various directions. 

Pattern Glass 

Alternative term for pressed glass. 

Pier Mirror 

A mirror made to hang on a wall between two windows. 

Pier Table 

A table made to stand against a wall between two windows. 

Pilaster 

A flat column applied to a two-dimensional surface.

Pressed Glass 

Glass whose shape and decoration are formed in a mold. 

Quadruple Plate 

Four layers of plating on silverplate wares. 

Repoussé 

High-relief or raised decoration on silver. 

Reticulation

A repeating pattern of small shaped openings in a ceramic body. 

Rocaille 

A motif associated with the Rococo Revival style, typically shell-like with a scalloped edge and ribbed surface, sometimes pierced with openings. 

Rockingham

A streaky, translucent brown glaze. 

Settee 

A small sofa. 

Side Chair 

A chair without arms. 

Sideboard 

A large cabinet made for the dining room. Usually fitted with drawers, cupboard doors, and a large back panel with small shelves above a marble top. 

Sterling Silver 

Silver that is 925 to 1000 parts (92.5%) silver. 

Strapwork 

A decorative motif imitating flat, scrolling bands of leather. 

Swag 

A piece of fabric suspended from two points, falling in folds and forming tails at both sides. 

Term 

A support that is part architectural and part human or animal, consisting of a pedestal combined with the torso and head of a man, woman or animal.

Transfer-Printed Ware 

White earthenware with a design printed in a colored glaze, most typically blue. 

Triple Plate

Three layers of plating on silverplate wares. 

Underglaze Enamel 

Describes a colored enamel under the clear lead glaze, applied directly to the surface of the ceramic body after the first firing. 

Wardrobe 

A cupboard for storing clothes, usually fitted with two doors, sometimes with one or two drawers at the base. 

Washstand 

A stand made to hold a water pitcher, basin, soap dish, and other objects used for washing. Usually made with a backsplash and sometimes with a cabinet under the top. 

White Metal 

An alternate term for Britannia metal.