Glossary N-Z

Ogee Convex curve followed by a concave curve used to describe the shape of mouldings and bracket feet etc.

Ormolu Strictly a gilt bronze mount, also used to describe gilt or lacquered brass mounts. A shellac based coating applied over gilded wood - gilders ormolu.

Oyster A slice of wood cut from the end grain of a small branch particularly walnut, olive and laburnum. Put together to form oyster veneers.

Palmette A classical motif resembling a stylised palm leaf or fan.

Papier mache Substance made from pulped paper combined with glue and other materials to make trays and other small objects. Often japanned .

Parquetry A form of marquetry using regular geometric shapes often to form a three dimensional impression.

Patera Round shaped neoclassical feature often resembling flower petals.

Pediment In architecture the top part of the façade of a building. Often of triangular form and used to top furniture.

Pie-crust A raised shaped moulding on the edge of a table, resembling a pie-crust.

Pietra dura Literally "hard stone" . Inlay of semi precious stones and marble. At its height in 17th century Italy. See scalable.

Pilaster An applied column.

Plum pudding A type of figured mahogany.

Putto A plump, nude mischievous infant often used in renaissance decoration.

Quartered veneers A method of laying veneers in which the sheets are mirrored in both the horizontal and vertical axis.

Quartetto A nest of tables, each slightly smaller than the last, which fit inside each other.

Quatrefoil Decorative motif with four leaves.

Rail A cabinet makers term for a horizontal rail.

Rebate A cabinet makers term for a groove.

Re-entrant corner Rounded corner comprising of two equal curves.

Rocaille Term believed to be the origin of rococo and used to describe shell and rock motifs in rococo ornament.

Rococo A European art style, following the baroque, characterised by a profusion of scrolls, shells and rockwork.

Rule joint A stopped, quarter moulded joint to allow a table leaf to fold up and down without leaving a gap.

Sabot French term for a mount that fits on the end of a leg of a piece of furniture.

Scroll Decorative motif in the form of a curve or spiral. "C" scrolls were popular in rococo designs.

Scagliola A form of marble made up from crushed marble, colouring, plaster of Paris and glue.

Seaweed marquetry Intricate form of marquetry in two woods.

Serpentine A double curve. Used to describe a front or edge that is convex at the outer edges and concave in the middle, e.g. a serpentine commode or tabletop.

Shoe A piece of wood on a chair designed to accommodate the bottom of the splat.

Splat The central part of the back of a chair.

Squab A loose cushion.

Stile A vertical member forming the outside of a frame. Compare Muntin.

Stretcher A rail that unites the legs of a piece of furniture.

Stringing A very narrow strip of inlaid wood or metal. Often boxwood, ebony or brass.

Swan neck A curved handle or pediment.

Tallboy English chest on chest.

Tambour Sliding door or curved pull down front, made from thin strips of wood held together with a canvas backing.

Tenon Flange of wood that fits into a mortise in a mortise and tenon joint.

Teapoy A tea caddy on a stand.

Tortoiseshell The shell of various turtles used as a veneer and inlay.

Upholder An old fashioned term for an upholsterer.

Vargueno Spanish chest on stand with a fall front often incorporating a central shrine surrounded by drawers and pigeon holes.

Vernis Martin A type of brilliant translucent lacquer developed in France by the Martin brothers.

Verre eglomise A technique for painting on the reverse of glass backed with metallic foil.

Veneer A thin sheet of usually decorative wood glued to a wooden ground.

Volute A spiral scroll.