Astragal
A semi-circular moulded glazing bar used on bookcases and cabinets
Ball and Claw Foot
A foot form possibly derived from the Chinese, it represents an eagle grasping an egg or ball. Used first in the Queen Anne period (1702-1714), it gained popularity in the Georgian and Chippendale styles
Baluster
A turned, flat or square vertical post that supports a rail. The term also refers to a form of turning
Bead
A decorative semi-circular moulding
Bevel
An angled edge of a surface
Bowfront
A piece of furniture with an outwardly facing front of rounded form
Bracket Feet
A furniture foot shaped like a bracket, often with a mitered corner
Bureau Plat
A French writing table of large proportions
Burl / Burr
A localized grain distortion of wood, formed from an irregular growth creating a finely figured grain
Cabriole Leg
S-shaped leg of a piece of furniture
Campaign Furniture
Usually collapsible, portable furniture originally designed for military use. Generally with handles and mounted corners for protection during transport
A low compartmentalized stand for storage of newspapers, magazines and sheet music
Capital
The decorative head of a column or pilaster
Carolean
Relating to the furniture in use under the reigns of King Charles I and King Charles II of
Caster/Castor
A small wheel attached to the underside or foot of a piece of furniture, usually brass
Cellaret
A portable wine cooler often subdivided into sections to store bottles, decanters and glasses
Cheval Mirror
A full-length free standing floor mirror, generally with a swing plate between two uprights
Chinoiserie
European adaptation of Chinese and Oriental decoration or objects
Chippendale (Thomas)
British cabinetmaker, (1718-1779). Chippendale was the first cabinet maker to publish a book of his designs, the Gentleman and Cabinet Makers Director (with the first edition appearing in 1754)
Chippendale
Furniture produced by Thomas Chippendale, characterized by graceful proportions. Influenced by the Rococo, Gothic and Chinese Chippendale styles prevail as an archetypal English style
Console
A table designed to stand against a wall, often in hallways
Cresting / Crest
An ornamental decoration at the top of a piece of furniture or mirror
Crossbanding
Bordering bands of decorative cross-grained veneer
Decoupage
Decorative effect produced by gluing cut-out paper designs and images on a surface, then applying several layers of clear varnish or lacquer until the surface is smooth
Dentil
A moulding motif consisting of a repeating row of square tooth-like blocks. Usually found above the frieze on bookcases
Distressed
Ageing of furniture to render a pleasing antique or rustic appearance
Drop Leaf
A tale with hinged flaps or leaves, which when opened increase the table's surface area
Drum Top Table
A round table with a deep apron. The shape of the top resembles that of a drum
Ebonized
Polished or stained to resemble ebony
Engraving
An incised decorative design
Escutcheon
A protective decorative metal plate surrounding a keyhole
Étagerè
A free standing open bookcase with shelves
Faux
A simulation or imitation
Figure
The natural pattern of the surface of cut wood produced by various factors such as growth rings and irregular grain
Finial
An ornamental terminating motif, usually in the form of a flower, acorn, pineapple or vase
French Provincial
Rustic interpretations of formal French furniture of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries
Flame Mahogany
Timber originating from the fork of a tree, producing an unusual, irregular grain effect with resemblance to a flame
Game Table
Specialized table for the playing of games such as chess, cards or backgammon. It may have a reversible flip-top and recessed counter wells. Cards tables tend to be inset with baize or leather
Gate-leg Table
A table with two drop leaves supported on legs which swing out from the centre like gates
Georgian
Period encompassing the reigns of George I, George II and George III from 1715-1795. The most important furniture makers of this period were Hepplewhite, Chippendale, Sheraton and Adam
Guilloche
Ornamental pattern of interlacing curved bands
Hairy Paw Feet
Carved feet of furniture resembling lions paws with finely carved hair
Hepplewhite
Style of furniture which takes its name from the cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite. His Cabinet-maker and Upholsterer's Guide (1788) was published after his death, which led to posthumous fame for the light, elegant furniture which was subsequently fashionable in the latter part of the 18th century. The shield-shape chair back is characteristic of his designs
Hoof Feet
Carved feet of furniture which resemble hooves
Inlay
Ivory, precious metals, glass or coloured wood inserted into the surface of a piece of wood to produce a decorative effect
Jacobean
A style of English furniture prevalent in the first half of the 17th century. The name derives from King James I (1603-1625)
Jardinere
A decorative plant stand
Jupe Table
The original was patented by Robert Jupe, of 47 Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square in March 1835 and his original specification stated that it was to be 'an improved expanding table, so constructed that the sections composing the surface may be caused to diverge from a common centre and that the spaces caused thereby may be filled up by inserting leaves or filling pieces'. Jupe and his then partner John Johnstone manufactured these tables between 1835 and 1840. Original Jupe tables are extremely rare and have fetched up to ,000 at auction
Ladder-back
A country chair with horizontal back rails which resemble a ladder, usually with a rush seat
Manx Table
A table from the
The table's design is inspired by the symbolism of the
Although no such ‘Manx' tables are documented from the 18th century, the underlying tripod design with a circular top and the accentuated knee is mid 18th century. Most surviving tables are dated to the mid 19th century but it is generally felt that the true ‘Manx' table was most certainly Georgian
Marquetry
A floral pattern created by inserting contrasting coloured woods into a veneered surface. The dutch were masters of this technique in the 18th century and the French maitre was certainly Andre C. Boulle (1642-1732). See also parquetry
Neoclassic / Neo-Classical Revival
A revival of Roman & ancient Greek artistic architectural styles. Furniture of the late 18th century draws heavily on Neoclassical elements
Oyster Veneer
A veneering technique of Dutch origin where cross-sections of small branches are cut at 45 degrees. The resulting veneer resembles the markings of an oyster shell
Parquetry
A geometric pattern created by inserting contrasting coloured woods into a veneered surface. See also marquetry
Patera
A circular or oval moulding decorated with leaves or flowers. Often seen on Neo-Classical furniture
Pedestal Desk
A large desk with frieze drawers resting on two pedestals in which are incorporated cupboards and/or drawers
Pediment
An architectural feature, usually surmounting a series of columns
Pedestal Table
A table whose top is supported by a column or pillar
Pembroke Table
A small table with two drop leaves and one or more drawers
Pie Crust
A round table with the edge of the top carved in scallops, resembling the crust of a pie. Excellent examples of this type of table are found during the reign of George II
Pilaster
An ornamental architectural column, presenting only the front section of the column
Provincial
Furniture from rural areas, inspired by formal designs but adapted to local materials and taste
Quatrefoil
A four-lobed decorative form
Queen Anne
The name given to the furniture style popularized under the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714, characterized by the use of walnut, cabriole legs, acanthus leaves and shell motifs
Refectory Table
A long, narrow rectangular dining table, with stretchers positioned close to the floor. Originally used by religious communities in their dining halls which were named refectories
Regency
A Neo-Classical style of furniture named after George IV's Regency as Prince of Wales during the period 1811-20. Taking influences from
Repoussé
Relief decoration hammered or chased on a sheet of metal from the reverse side
Rococo
A mid 18th century style whose origins are accredited to the silversmith J. A. Meissonier. Characteristic features are natural forms, intentionally asymmetric designs and ‘C' and ‘S' scrolls. The style was championed in
Roundel
A circular ornamental design
Sabre Leg
A type of square, tapering furniture leg typical of the Regency period, resembling a curved sword known as a sabre
Seat Rail
A horizontal structure below the seat of a chair which unites the tops of the chair legs
Sheraton, Thomas
English cabinet maker (1751-1806). In 1791 he published The Cabinet Maker's and Upholsterer's Drawing Book in four volumes, The Cabinet Dictionary in 1803 and Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and General Artist's Encyclopedia in 1805. This delicate style is characterized by elegant lines, contrasting veneers and neo-classical motifs. Sheraton furniture is often associated with light woods such as satinwood which was then painted with flowers and swags. This style was revived in the Edwardian period
Shield back
A chair back which takes the outline of a shield; associated with Adam and Hepplewhite designs
Sofa Table
An occasional table with two hinged flaps designed to stand behind a sofa
Spade Foot
A square tapered foot resembling a spade, popularized in the 18th century
Splayed Leg
A tapered leg of round or square shape where the bottom section is splayed to the outside, giving the impression that it is buckling under the weight of the top
Spandrel
A decorative corner bracket
Splat
The vertical central support in a chair back
Stretcher
Strengthening and stabilizing rail connecting chairs or table legs
Stringing
Decorative fine metal or wood lines inlaid in veneer
Tilt-top Table
A pedestal table with a hinged top that can be tilted into a vertical position
Tole
Sheet tin made generally into lamps or plates, often resembling enamel. Popular in 18th and 19th century
Toprail
A rail which connects balusters or the uprights of a chair back
Torchère
A floor lamp which directs light upwards. Also a plant stand resembling the torch è re form
Tripod Table
A table supported on a pillar with three legs
Vase Splat
A splat which is shaped to resemble the outline of a vase
Veneer
A fine layer of high quality wood adhered to the surface of a piece of furniture to enhance its appearance. Veneered furniture resists temperature fluctuations better than solid wood furniture
William & Mary
Style of furniture named after King William II and Queen Mary I (1688-1702). Characterized by the use of walnut, cabriole legs, seaweed marquetry, bun feet, and a strong Dutch influence
Writing Desk
A desk for writing with frieze drawers. Usually with a leather inset top