Drop-in seat - upholstered seat frame that sits in the main framework of a chair


Dropleaf table - a type of table with a pivoted leg to support the extended leaf but without understretchers


Drop lid desk - a desk with a hinged panel that covers the inner compartments


Dumb waiter - type of furniture with a central shaft and circular trays, which often revolves to enable those who are dining to help themselves to additional plates



E



Egg-and-dart moulding - a carved moulding resembling ovals, or "eggs," alternating with triangular arrowheads, or "darts"


Encoignure - an 18th-19th century casework piece similar to a corner cabinet. Its front is typically rounded or diagonal, and it rests on three or four feet. Often, the top portion contains shelves in graduated sizes.


Escritoire - a cabinet with a fall front that lowers to form a writing surface


Escutcheon - the brass plate that surrounds and protects the edges of a keyhole



Etagere - a two- or three-tiered table intended for displaying objects or serving food


F



Faceted - decorative surface cut into sharp-edged planes in a criss-cross pattern to reflect light


Fall front - the flap of a bureau or secretaire that pulls down to provide a writing surface


Fauteuil - a French term for an armchair


Feather banding - two narrow bands of veneer laid in opposite diagonals


Federal style - the American version of the Neo-classical style, popular from c. 1789 to c.1830.


Ferrule - an often metal cap attached to the end of a slender shaft for strength or to prevent splitting


Figuring - pattern made by the natural grain of wood


Finial - decorative turned knob


Flare - the outward curving shape of a furniture leg


Frame - the wooden skeleton of an upholstered piece of furniture


Fretwork - ornamental carving, often interlaced or pierced in appearance



G



Gadroon moulding - a rounded moulding that is carved in convex curves


Gainsborough chair - deep armchair with an upholstered seat and back, padded open arms, and carved decoration


Gallery - wood or metal border around the top edge of a table


Gateleg - hinged leg that pivots to support a drop leaf on a table


Georgian - Historical period dating from c.1714 - c.1790; Style of the period reflects the British interpretation of Palladianism (early), the Rococo (mid) and Neo-classicism (late)

Gothic - decoration style featuring such motifs as pinnacles, crockets, and trefoils; popular from the 1820s in Europe and from the 1840s in North America.


Gueridon - a small, elaborately carved stand or table



H



Harvest table - a narrow rectangular table with hinged drop leaves


Hepplewhite - an 18th-century English style originated by George Hepplewhite, and characterized by delicate forms in the neoclassic framework.

Highboy - American term for a tall chest-on-stand


Huntboard - a light, portable sideboard used for serving food and drinks


I


Inlay - setting of one material in another (e.g. marble in wood)



J


Japanning - painting and varnishing in imitation of Oriental lacquerwork



K


Keeled - sharp edge frequently found on the corner of cabriole legs


Kneehole desk - desk with a recessed central cupboard


Knife edged - loose or attached cushion treatment which uses a single horizontal welt or seam in the middle of the front edge of the cushion



L


Ladder-back chair - a chair with a series of horizontal back-rails