Antique Definitions C-D

A reverse-curved leg ending in a shaped foot that was extremely popular during the Queen Anne and Chippendale periods. looks to be S curved and terminates with an ornamental foot. Also known as a Cabriole Leg.

Calico:

Cotton fabric imported from Calcutta in the 17th and 18th centuries. Also called chintz when painted or printed

Cane:

Split rattan used to weave char back and seats

Cann:

An early term for a lidless, one handled silver drinking vessel. An American straight sided mug.

Capital:

The ornamental upper section of a column or pilaster on which the entablature rests.

Cartouche:

A decorative motif in the form of a shield or partially unrolled scroll with curled edges.

Carver Chair:

A pilgrim chair usually with a rush seat, similar in turnings to the Brewster chair, but with spindles only on the back

Cased Glass:

layered colors of glass, often cut through the copper layer to the base; a technique first used in ancient Rome and rediscovered in the nineteenth century.

Catalogue Raisonné

A list of all the known works of a particular Painter

Caudle Cup:

A two-handled, deep bowl, often gourd-shaped, used to serve beverage, specifically the warm gruel of the flavored wind called "caudle'

Cavetto:

A concave molding, usually one-quarter in section.

Chasing:

A decoration on metal surfaces produced by a relatively blunt instrument that does not cut into the surface. Also removing small imperfections and adding detail.

Chinoiserie:

A style of decoration in the imitation of Chinese; in the Chinese taste

Classical Order:

The formal arrangement of columns or pilasters, including their base moldings and capitals and their base moldings and capitals and their entablatures, as developed in ancient Greece and Rome. Revived during the Renaissance period and also widely copied during the Georgian period.

Claw and Ball:

A carved foot resembling a bird's claw holding a ball, generally used in the termination of cabriole leg in the Chippendale period.

Cloisonné:

A decorative enamel technique; the pattern is outlined by metal wire on a gold, brass, or copper setting, and each section is filled in with colored enamel.

Colonial Revival:

A late Victorian style popularized by the American Centennial in 1876.

Convolute:

A coiled or scrolled form

Crane:

A swinging iron bracket used to hang cooking utensils in a fire place.

Craquelure:

A all over crazing frequently seen on the surface of oil paintings.

Crazing:

minute cracks in varnish or paint

Creamware:

A lead glazed, ivory colored earthenware perfected by Josiah Wedgwood; first called by him, the commonly known as "Queen's Ware", in homage to Queen Charlotte.

Crewelwork:

A type of needlework using embroidery of worsted yarn on linen or cotton.

Crown Glass:

A type of blown glass spun rapidly at the end of the punty rod, into the form of a disc. A scar or knob of glass, called a bull's eye, remains in the center, caused when the punty rod is disengaged from the disc.

Cullet:

In glassmaking, cleansed and broken glass re-melted with each new batch to promote fusion.

Cupid's Bow:

A shaped top rail resembling a bow, commonly used on Chippendale chairs.

Cup Turning:: A turning resembling an inverted bowl or cup common on William and Mary furniture.
Cutcard:: A flat decoration cut from thin silver sheets and applied to the surface of a piece of silver.
Cipther:: Interweaving of initials in a monogram, often surrounded by a decorative scroll.
Delftware:: A tin-glazed earthenware of type made in Holland, England, and elsewhere, often decorated to resemble Chinese porcelain. Often decorated in cobalt blue.
Dentils:: Decorative series of rectangular, equally spaced blocks, usually projecting below a cornice.
Desk Box:: Also known as a bible box. See bible box.
Diaper Pattern:: Decorative effect achieved by a repeating design of lozenges, squares, diamonds, and related shapes in a diagonal pattern.
Bronze or Bronze Doré:: gilt bronze.
Drop:: An ornamental, turned pendant, either applied or free hanging. Typically done in silver.