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Antique Terminology

P-W

Pad Foot

A flattened disk-like foot often found under a cabriole leg. It is similar to a clubfoot.

Parquetry

Parquetry is very similar in technique to marquetry: in parquetry the pieces of veneer are of simple repeating geometric shapes, forming tiling patterns such as would cover a floor (parquet), or forming basketweave or brickwork patterns, trelliswork and the like.

Pediment

A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure (entablature), typically supported by columns.

Pie Crust Edge

A scalloped decorative rim reminiscent of the crimped edges of a pie, which was popular on furniture in during the mid 18th century and much reproduced in the 19th century.

Pedestal

A Pedestal (from French piedestal / Italian piedistallo) is a term generally used for a solid, moulded or carved support variously adapted to form a stand for urns, sculptured figures, lamps and furniture.

Reeded

Reeding is a series of grooved lines or a set of mouldings, as used to decorate a column. Several reedings are often placed together, parallel to each other, either projecting from, or inserted into, the adjoining surface. The decoration so produced is then called, in general, reeding.

Sabre Legs

A sabre leg is an early 19th century curved chair leg, which resembles the line of a sabre blade. This term is most closely associated with the regency period, although after 1815 this type of design was sometimes referred to as a waterloo leg, after the Battle of Waterloo.

Splat

A splat is the vertical central element of a chair back. Typically this element of a chair is of exposed wood design. The splat is an important element of furniture identification, since its design has a multitude of variations incorporating the themes of different furniture periods.

Sheraton

Sheraton is a late 18th century neoclassical English furniture style, in vogue between 1785 and 1800. The term was coined by 19th century collectors and dealers to credit furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, born in Stockton-on-Tees, England in 1751 and whose books, "The Cabinet Dictionary" (1803) of engraved designs and the "Cabinet Maker's & Upholsterer's Drawing Book" (1791) of furniture patterns exemplify this style.

The Sheraton style was inspired by the Louis XVI style and features round tapered legs, fluting and most notably contrasting veneer inlays. Sheraton style furniture takes lightweight rectilinear forms, using satinwood, mahogany and tulipwood, sycamore and rosewood for inlaid decorations, though painted finishes and brass fittings are also to be found.

Turned Wood

The term turned wood, in the context of furniture refers to wooden aspects of an item that have been shaped by rotating on a lathe, such as turned wood support on a table. Woodturning has been a principal decorative effect on furniture since medieval times and developed particularly during the late 16th and 17th centuries.

Waring and Gillows

Waring & Gillow is a noted firm of English furniture manufacturers formed in 1897 by the merger of Gillow of Lancaster and Waring of Liverpool. Both businesses had large stores in Oxford Street, London and it is said that the expiry of the Gillow's lease prompted the two firms coming together. It remained an independent firm, until 1985, when it was taken over.

What-Not

A what-not is a piece of furniture derived from the French étagère, which was exceedingly popular in England in the first three-quarters of the 19th century. It usually consists of slender uprights or pillars, supporting a series of shelves for holding china, ornaments or trifles of any kind, hence the allusive name. In its English form, although a convenient drawing room receptacle, it was rarely beautiful. The early mahogany examples are, however, sometimes graceful in their simplicity.