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Definitions terms of antiques or collectables, some are quite common and some
not so common.
Definitions are from various sources.
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- Gadroon:
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Ornamentation used on silver and furniture formed by fluting
or reeding or both, often in a spiral design.
- Gallery:
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Open fretwork or small balustrade forming a railing around
the top of furniture
- Gate Leg Table:
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An early type of drop-leaf table in which the legs, connected
by stretchers, from a swinging gate to support the leaves.
- Gather:
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In glassmaking, a globular mass of molten glass affixed
to a blow-pipe, ready to be blown.
- Georgian:
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A term broadly used to refer to the style developed
during the reigns of Georges I-IV
- German Silver:
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An alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. Developed in
England in mid 19th century.
- Gesso:
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Plaster of Paris applied to the surface of a piece
to provide a smooth base for painting or gilding.
- Girandole:
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A wall mirror having candle branches as part of
its structure
- Gothic:
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originally an architectural style characterized
by the pointed arch, rib vault, and flying buttress; flourished
from the eleventh to the 15th centuries, revived in the 18th century
in furniture
- Gouache:
- Guilloche:
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enameling in which a metal surface is first engraved,
then coated with translucent enamel that allows the pattern beneath
to be seen.
- Gouge Carving:
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Early simple carving formed by repeating chisel
cuts.
- Grandfather Clock:
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A tall case clock
- Grandmother Clock:
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A term for a miniature tall case clock
- Graver:
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An engraver's too; a burin
- Grisaille
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A for of decorative painting in shades
of gray.
- Guilloche:
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An ornamental motif consisting of series
of loosely interlacing, circular forms.
- Hadley Chest:
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An early chest with a hinged top and
usually with one or two drawers, made in and around
Hadley, Massachusetts, and decorated with overall,
abstract floral carving and often with the owner's
initials.
- Hairy-Paw Foot:
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A foot of a chair or any other seating
form resembling the hairy paw of an animal.
- Hallmarks:
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The marks stamped on the English
gold and silver to indicate its maker, date, origin,
and quality. There is thousands of various
trademarks.
- Handkerchief Table:
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A triangular drop-leaf table
with a triangular single leaf. When opened,
it makes a square; closed it fits into a corner.
- Hepplewhite:
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An English furniture style
characterized by graceful curves and light
woods, named for George Hepplewhite, its creator.
- Herringbone:
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Decorative inlay composed
of veneer cut obliquely and fitted together
in a herringbone pattern
- Highboy:
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A modern term for a high
chest of drawers comprised of two sections:
an upper case, with drawers of varied depth
and length, set upon a lower case, also
with drawers, supported by legs.
- High-Relief:
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sculptured or cared work
that stands out sharply from its background
- Hollowware:
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vessels such as silver
and silver-plate bowls, vases, and pitchers
- Horseshoe Seat:
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A chair seat curved in
a horseshoe or bell shaped, often used
in Queen Anne chairs.
- Imari Ware:
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A type of Japanese porcelain
exported from the port of Imari in the
17th and early 18th centuries.
- Incunabula:
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The earliest printed
materials of any art or area. Primarily
books before the year 1500.
- Inlay:
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Decoration formed
by contrasting materials set into
the surface of a piece.
- Intaglio:
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Designs depressed
below the surface, opposite of relief.
- Japonesque:
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In the Japanese
way or manner.
- Japanning:
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The process of
simulating Oriental lacquer by
the use of varnish or paint with
decoration in low relief, usually
in Chinoiserie designs.
- Jewel work:
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Carved ornamentation
resembling cut gems
- Joint Stool:
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A small, backless
seat with turned legs strengthened
by stretchers.
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