Antique Furniture Glossary: A

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • I • L • M • P • R • S • T • V Terms Defined: acanthus, andirons, arbalette, armoire, Art Nouveau

Acanthus

A leaf used in Classical ornament, particularly on Corinthian capitals (the tops of Corinthian columns); frequently found on furniture as carved decoration or cast bronze ornament, particularly from the French, Louis XVI period.

Examples from our gallery: Set of twelve fine, Irish, George III style dining chairs (Item No. 932) Two armchairs, ten side chairs. In solid, mahogany, elaborately carved interlaced backs with leaves and rosettes, molded shaped seat frames with slip seats, acanthus carved cabriole legs terminating in paw feet. 19th century. Large, Italian, Louis XVI period carved console (Item No. 931) From Torino with medallions, garlands, and acanthus leaves carved in solid linden wood. Original blue, gray, and beige Brocatello marble top. Circa 1780 Late 16th century, Florentine 'credenza' (Item No. 230) In carved walnut, having the characteristic classical elements including ionic capitals and acanthus leaf gadrooning. 51½" wide by 42" high by 16" deep Very fine, English Regency period, rosewood and brass-inlaid center table (Item No. 892) With original tilt-top mechanism, giltwood acanthus leaf and faux rosewood grain stem, and unusual square plinth (base) resting upon four bronze winged claw feet. Attributed to George Smith, circa 1805-1810. French, 18th century, carved sauteuse (two-drawer Provençal commode) (Item No. 225) In walnut, with Louis XV cabriole legs and carved acanthus leaf and coquille (seashell) motif. 50½" wide by 25" deep 33½" high Pair of Greco-Roman, porcelain urns (Item No. 316) With hand-painted portraits over gold leaf medallions surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves. 19th century. 13½" tall, 7.5" diameter (widest point)

Andirons

A pair of iron bars, usually decorated at the front end by a vertical member, placed at each side of the hearth and upon which the burning logs were supported. Sometimes referred to as "fire-dogs."

Arbalette

A serpentine form characteristic of the finest Louis XV commodes, buffets, and consoles.

Examples from our gallery: Very fine, French, Regence period canapé a oreilles (Item No. 920) En arbalette form, in solid, carved walnut with needlepoint upholstery. Circa 1725. Very fine and rare Regence period chinoiserie commode (Item No. 901) With reverse arbalette façade, slightly galbe sides, original bronze d'ore pulls and escutcheon plates, and original interior locks. Original black laquer and parcel gilt surface is largely intact. Circa 1710. Very fine, French provincial, Louis XV period secretaire en bibliotheque (Item No. 872) From Southwestern France bearing the "Croix de Malte" in marquetry and with chapeau de gendarme cornice and arbalette façade on the drawers of the bottom compartment. Mid-18th century. 98½" high by 44¾" wide by 22½" deep Fine, Arlesian, Louis XV period panetiere of large dimensions (Item No. 767) In solid, carved walnut with reverse-arbalette facade and arbalette sides. Mid 18th century.

Armoire

A clothes cupboard.

Examples from our gallery: Fine, Louis XV, mahogany armoire (Item No. 904) The stepped arched cornice over a floral vine carved frieze and two arched paneled doors above a pierced C-scroll and leaf carved apron raised on leaf carved cabriole legs. From Bordeaux, France. 18th century. 98" high by 63" wide by 28" deep French, Louis XV period armoire (Item No. 749) In solid, carved walnut. From the Rhone Valley. Mid 18th-century. French, Louis XV period armoire (Item No. 793) In solid, carved walnut with double domed cornice. Mid-18th century fron Lyon. 94" high by 62" wide by 26" deep Very fine, French, Regence period armoire (Item No. 766) In solid, carved cherry. From Rennes, Brittany. Signed "FAIT PAR IEAN BAPTIS DEPOUEZ AN 1721" ("Made by Iean Baptis Depousez in the year 1791") 98" high by 56" wide by 25" deep French, Nimoise, Regence period armoire (Item No. 776) In solid, carved walnut. Shown here with chicken-wire. Early 18th century. 89" high by 53" wide (body) 62" wide (cornice) by 25" deep (body) 28" deep (cornice) Louis XV period, Provençal armoire (Item No. 640) In solid, carved walnut. Mid-18th century. 100" high by 75" wide by 28" deep (24" interior) Louis XV period, marriage armoire (Item No. 639) From Marseille. In solid carved walnut. Mid-18th century 102" high by 60" wide by 25" deep French, Neoclassical, period armoire de chasse (Item No. 596) A very unusual form, most likely from a hunting lodge in Southwestern France. In solid, carved cherry with additional storage cabinets on either side (see photo number three), which were used to store hunting gear. Late 18th century. 93" high by 72" wide by 23" deep French, early 18th century, Regence armoire (Item No. 294) In carved walnut, having the "coquille" or scallop carving and pierced apron characteristic of furniture from Provence. French, Louis XV period armoire (Item No. 142) From Bresse, solid walnut with burl elm paneled doors, original hand forged hardware, full length door hinges, with a bottom drawer and beautifully scalloped apron ending in escargot feet. 61" wide by 24½" deep by 98" high

Art Nouveau

A period and/or style of decoration which first appeared in England in the 1880’s and spread throughout Europe, particularly Belgium, France and Germany, in the early 1890s. It survived for 20 years, reflecting a return to nature and to the values of good workmanship. The characteristics of Art Nouveau were drawn from nature and featured plants and flowers in sinuous curves and convolutions.

Examples from our gallery: Set of Eight French, Art Nouveau period tall-back dining chairs (Item No. 926) In solid, carved walnut in the manner of Louis Majorelle with carved floral crest, V-shaped upholstered backsplat, and seat in red leather with brass tacks. Shaped legs with conforming floral decoration. Circa 1900. 40½" tall (at back) Rare pair of Art Nouveau period, carved, giltwood mirrors (Item No. 575) With beveled glass. Late 19th or early 20th century. 43" high by 28" wide French, Art Nouveau, bronze d'ore chandelier (Item No. 404) With frosted glass iris globes. Late 19th century. 45" high by 25" diameter