A classical decorative motif based on the leaves of the acanthus plant.

A classical revival principally inspired by Robert Adam (1728 - 1792).

A formalized decorative motif based on honeysuckle, particularly popular from the late 18th century.

A repetitive, intricate pattern derived from Arab designs based originally on plant and flower motifs.

A cupboard of great size, with doors.

A design movement from the late 1800's, inspired greatly by the work of Japanese Meiji period artists.

A small chest of drawers with a fold-over top supported by slides.

A style originating in Italy in the early 17th century. Extravagantly ornate, florid and convoluted in character or style.

An 18th century term describing a variety of washstands. Basically a tripod stand or small square stand with a molded ring to hold the basin, small drawers below the frieze and a shelf for an ewer beneath.

Variation on a worktable, usually a tripod stand with two tiers of open gallery-work for holding knick-knacks.

An upholstered armchair modeled on a French design, fashionable from 1725. Often with crane work sides, back and seat.

A style of furnishings common in German-specking areas in the early to middle 19th century, generally a simplification of the French Directoire and Empire styles

Fretted decoration applied to the surface of solid wooden furniture.

A French term for carved wooden paneling to rooms, including doors, frames, cupboards and shelves which were part of the paneling.

A technique developed by Andre-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) of inlaying brass with tortoiseshell and, sometimes, pewter, fashionable and highly prized in France throughout the 18th century. Usually made in Paris, the second commode, table or cabinet was in " contre boulle"; the reverse version with tortoiseshell inlaid with brass. English boulle was first popular during the Regency Period. Rarely of as high a quality as the French, it was increasingly debased as machine techniques enabled a similar effect to be achieved during the Victorian Period.

A 16th-century serving or side table, frequently with two or three tiers.  In the late 17th and 18th-centuries there were cupboards beneath the serving surface and an elaborate superstructure above. 

A late 18th-century desk with curved quarter-circle front in solid wood which, when lifted, swung up beneath the underside of the top.

A French writing table of substantial proportions with a flat surface.

Oval convex decorative ornament frequently found on knees of cabriole legs.

Usually an oval or oblong ornamental motif, often framing an armorial insignia or coat-of-arms, and often having a scrolled edge; on a mantel, generally in the center of the frieze

Correct term for carved female figures or half-figures supporting an entablature instead of columns. See also Atlantes.

A wine cooler with a lockable lid, usually fitted with a bottle rack.

Technique of enameled decoration where the metal base is channeled or cut out to receive the enamel.

French term meaning andirons; in England & Ireland, usually firedogs

An ornamental construction around a fireplace; generally synonymous with mantel

Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779 ,a furniture designer, cabinet-maker and interior decorator.

A technique of enameling using fine strips of metal soldered to the base to divide one color of enamel from another.

An early Italian serving table or sideboard with canted corners, two or three cupboards in the base and drawers in the frieze. 

A strip or band of veneer laid across the grain.

Pertaining to the style of French furnishings and decorations of the mid-1790's, characterized by an increasing use of Greco-Roman forms along with an introduction, toward the end, of Egyptian motifs

In France, a general-term for a cabinet-maker as opposed to makers of seat furniture. The ancient guild of menuisiers-ebénistes protected their members from cheaper work by foreign craftsmen and from 1741 ordered them to sign their work, which was then passed by the Jure des menuisiers-ébénistes, who approved and stamped each piece "JME".

Close-grained wood, such as beech or birch, stained and polished to resemble ebony, much used in the 18^th century, particularly for chairs.

Pertaining to the rein of Edward VII.

Characteristic of or developed during the first French Empire, 1804 - 1815.

A French name for a standing corner cupboard, usually made en suite with a commode, with a marble top and ormolu or gilt metal mounts.

In French decorative arts, an interwoven or interlaced design; an interlocking design, sometimes of garlands, flowers, or rings

A style of decoration derived from ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan ornament.

A French name for an elegant, comfortable chair with open arms and upholstered back and seat, dating from the mid-18th century and originally covered in silk, satin, velvet or damask, usually replaced in 19th century with tapestry.

Pertaining to the decorative arts and architecture in the United States circa 1780 - 1830.

A generic term for the natural patterns revealed by skilful cutting of veneer e.g. flame grain, Cuban curl, fiddle back, oyster, etc.

Generally, a cast iron panel (or group of panels) which is meant to stand or sit in a firebox for the purpose of radiating heat; also designed to protect the brick lining of the firebox

In a fireplace, the chamber that contains the fire

A low metal frame which sits on a hearth in front of a fireplace; also referred to as a fender or fireplace fender; designed to confine burning embers and ash to the hearth

A framed opening in a chimney made to hold an open fire; today, often used interchangeably with fireplace surround, fire surround, or mantel

A protective and usually ornamental screen which stands before a fireplace

Various utensils (such as tongs, pokers and shovels) used to tend a fire, especially in a fireplace

Term usually used in England & Ireland to mean andiron or more specifically, double andirons

See fireplace or mantel

A torch or flame, sometimes springing from an urn, used as a decorative finial from the end of the 17th century and throughout the 18th.