Glossary

Acanthus:

a plant with scalloped edges. Used in a stylized form to decorate buildings and furniture.

Apron:

the lower edge of a piece of furniture

Banding:

edging of thinly cut wood laid in a design such as herringbone.

Bird-cage support:

used on tilt top tables to allow the table to tilt and pivot. It consists of two blocks of wood separated by columns mounted between the pedestal and the bottom of the table.

Bombe:

term for a bulging, curved piece of furniture whose swelling sides and front are mostly found on Baroque and Rococo style case pieces.

Bun foot:

a turned foot shaped like a flattened ball

Broken- arch pediment:

triangular or curved pediment in which the ascending sides do not touch and terminate in a scroll or a broken arch.

Cabriole:

a furniture leg with a double curve, turning out (convex) at the knee and turning in (concave) at the ankle.

Carcass:

the framework of a piece of furniture usually made of secondary woods over which veneer may be applied.

Castors:

small rollers applied to the feet or base of furniture to assist in moving.

Chinoiserie:

French term for Chinese influenced decoration.

Eglomise:

unfired reverse painting or gilding on glass. Popular during the Federal period and found on clocks and mirrors.

Gadrooning:

fluting usually applied as an edging.

Gilding:

application of gold leaf or powder to enhance metal, wood, or ceramic.

Marlborough foot:

rectangular foot found on the base of some Marlborough legs.

Marlborough leg:

a square-sectioned tapered leg, popular in the late 18th century.

Marquetry:

the use of exotic woods, such as holly, fruitwood, or ebony to create mosaics, flowers, and landscapes, which are then applied as decorative veneers to furniture.

Molding:

length of shaped wood applied to the surface of a piece of furniture.

Pad foot:

a softly rounded foot which rests on a small disk or pad.

Parquetry:

the use of contrasting woods or grains to form a geometric design on veneered furniture.

Patina:

the surface finish on furniture which develops over time due to wear, cleaning, and polishing.

Ogee foot:

double curved foot, one convex and the other concave, popular in the late 18th century.

Ormolu:

French term for gilded bronze or brass furniture mounts.

Ovolo corners:

a rounded outline or corner which breaks the square corner of a table or case piece. They are sometimes found on neoclassic furniture.

Riddle-back chair:

a chair back made of slats which are pierced.

Stretcher:

a strut joining the legs of a piece of furniture.

Spade foot:

a square tapered foot slightly wider than the tapered leg from which it descends. Commonly used in neoclassic furniture.

Spanish Foot:

a vertical scroll which curves inward to form the base of support. Also known as the paintbrush foot, the Portuguese foot, and the claw foot. Popular on William and Mary furniture.

Splat:

middle section of a chair back parallel to the upright sides of the chair. They can be heavily carved or decorated. Eagles, urns, vases and scrolls were popular designs.

Stiles:

the upright or post on a chair.

Trifid foot:

a chair leg foot divided into three sections which resemble toes. Popular on 18th century Philadelphia furniture.