French Accents Anique Furniture

Glossary of Antique Terms - G

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Terms Defined: gesso, gilded, gilding, gilt


Gesso		 jump to top of page
A composition, often made with chalk and parchment size that is commonly applied to furniture, picture frames and mirrors as foundation upon which gilding or silvering was applied.



Gilded		 jump to top of page
Covered in gold leaf. (c.f. gilt, gilding)


Examples from our gallery:

French, Louis XV style, painted and parcel gilded bedFrench, Louis XV style, painted and parcel gilded bed (Item No. 849)
With double cane. Late 19th century.

Dimensions: 53" high by 80" long by 66½" wide (queen)

Very fine, George III period, chinoiserie paravent (folding screen)Very fine, George III period, chinoiserie paravent (folding screen) (Item No. 833)
In black lacquer with gilt bronze trim and painted and parcel-gilded scenes. Late 18th century.

French globe of large dimensions on ebonized and gilded metal standFrench globe of large dimensions on ebonized and gilded metal stand (Item No. 818)
19th century.

Dimensions: 37" high by 34" diameter

Fine pair of Continental, Louis XV style, red painted and parcel gilded console tablesFine pair of Continental, Louis XV style, red painted and parcel gilded console tables (Item No. 812)
With white-veined, liver-colored marble tops. One of identical pair shown.

Dimensions: 53" wide by 35" high by 22" deep

Rare and Fine Venetian polychrome painted and parcel-gilded mirror on standRare and Fine Venetian polychrome painted and parcel-gilded mirror on stand (Item No. 810)
In the Louis XV style. Supporting stand in bombè form with single drawer. Original painted surface and original mercury glass. Late 18th or early 19th century.

Dimensions: 23½" wide by 44" high by 12" deep

Set of eight, very fine Northern Italian, painted and parcel-gilded dining chairsSet of eight, very fine Northern Italian, painted and parcel-gilded dining chairs (Item No. 806)
Late 18th century.

Dimensions: 20" wide by 20" deep by 18" high (at seat) 38" high (at back)

Set of Twelve fine, Venetian, painted and parcel gilded, tall-back dining chairsSet of Twelve fine, Venetian, painted and parcel gilded, tall-back dining chairs (Item No. 787)
Comprising ten side chairs and two fauteuils. Scalloped and carved on all four sides. Third quarter of the 19th century

Dimensions: side chairs are 21" wide by 20" deep by 18" high (at seat) and 43" high (at back); armchairs are 28" wide by 23" deep by 19" high (at seat) and 43" high (at back)

Pair of French, Jacob period, painted and parcel-gilded fauteuilsPair of French, Jacob period, painted and parcel-gilded fauteuils (Item No. 720)
One of identical pair shown.

Stamped "Jacob Freres Rue Meslee." Circa 1800.

Provenance: Collection of Old Versailles
New York, New York

Dimensions: 35½" high (at back) 18" (at seat) by 22" deep by 21½" wide

Set of four Consulat style chaisesSet of four Consulat style chaises (Item No. 774)
Crème painted and parcel gilded with Greek key motif. 19th century.

Dimensions: 18" wide by 18" deep by 17" high (at seat) and 33" high (at back)

Italian, painted and parcel-gilded six-light chandelierItalian, painted and parcel-gilded six-light chandelier (Item No. 679)
In solid, carved wood. Late 19th or early 20th century.

Dimensions: 36" high by 30" diameter

Italian, Neoclassical style, painted and parcel-gilded bed of large dimensionsItalian, Neoclassical style, painted and parcel-gilded bed of large dimensions (Item No. 677)
In solid, carved wood. Early 20th century.

Dimensions: 74" wide by 80" long by 60" high (headboard) by 35" high (footboard) (will accommodate a king size mattress)

Louis XV style, chinoiserie secretary ('dos d'ane')Louis XV style, chinoiserie secretary ("dos d'ane") (Item No. 394)
Painted and gilded with black lacquer base. Late 18th or early 19th century.

Dimensions: 29" wide by 18" deep by 38" high

Italian, Neoclassical (Retour d'Egypt), carved and painted giltwood mirrorItalian, Neoclassical (Retour d'Egypt), carved and painted giltwood mirror (Item No. 280)
With gilded sphinxes and foliage motif. Late 18th century or early 19th century. (Shown here above Item 561, Late George III painted and parcel gilt decorated settee.)

Dimensions: 48" wide by 70" high

Louis XV style, chinoiserie commode scribanLouis XV style, chinoiserie commode scriban (Item No. 439)
Gilded and painted with ivory inlay. 19th century.

Dimensions: 38" wide by 20" deep (when closed) 35" (when opened) 43½" high

Italian, Directoire period console tableItalian, Directoire period console table (Item No. 416)
With marble top. Painted and parcel gilded with the original gold and silver leaf. From the last five years of the 18th century.

English, George III period, gilded oval mirrorEnglish, George III period, gilded oval mirror (Item No. 412)
Late 18th century.

Dimensions: 31" wide by 46" high


Gilding		 jump to top of page
The decoration of surfaces with gold leaf. (c.f. gilded, gilt)



Gilt		 jump to top of page
Covered in gold leaf. (c.f. gilding, gilded)


Examples from our gallery:

George III period, oval, carved giltwood mirrorGeorge III period, oval, carved giltwood mirror (Item No. 845)
With pierced framework carved with rose branches and husk swags amidst s and c-scrolls and surmounted by ho ho birds at the shoulders, centering a tiered scrollwork crest. Late 18th or early 19th century.

Dimensions: 62" high by 39&rac12;" wide

Very fine, French, Louix XV period, carved giltwood mirror with parclosesVery fine, French, Louix XV period, carved giltwood mirror with parcloses (Item No. 844)
With original giltwood surface and original mercury glass. Mid-18th century.

Fine, French, Regence period, carved giltwood consoleFine, French, Regence period, carved giltwood console (Item No. 843)
With veined pink marble serpentine-fronted top above a shell and foliate frieze on crosshatched and diagonal reeded ground, raised on foliate-carved double scroll cabriole legs terminating in "pied de sabots." Circa 1725.

Dimensions: 30¼" high by 31½" wide by 17" deep

Very fine, Italian, giltwood mirror of large dimensionsVery fine, Italian, giltwood mirror of large dimensions (Item No. 841)
With original mercury glass. Mid-18th century.

Dimensions: 98" high by 52" wide

Italian, Renaissance period, giltwood and pastiglia cassoneItalian, Renaissance period, giltwood and pastiglia cassone (Item No. 836)
The arched top decorated and star-shaped motif centered by a coat-of-arms, above a rectangular body decorated in pastiglia with figures in procession, the sides with similar star-shaped motif on bracket legs. Circa 1430, with restorations.

Dimensions: 29½" high by 71½" wide by 23¼" deep

Fine, Louis XV, marquetry inlaid, gilt-bronze mounted, secretaire a abattantFine, Louis XV, marquetry inlaid, gilt-bronze mounted, secretaire a abattant (Item No. 808)
In kingwood with beige marble top. Mid-18th century

Dimensions: 54" high by 33" wide by 16" deep

Pair of George III style gilt-wood girandolesPair of George III style gilt-wood girandoles (Item No. 560)
Each cartouche-form mirror plate within a conforming leafage and floral-carved frame with rocaille and floral crest, supporting four scrolling candle arms cresting in later sockets. One of opposing pair shown. 19th century.

Dimensions: 57" high by 33" wide

Very fine, George III period, chinoiserie paravent (folding screen)Very fine, George III period, chinoiserie paravent (folding screen) (Item No. 833)
In black lacquer with gilt bronze trim and painted and parcel-gilded scenes. Late 18th century.

Pair of very fine, Italian, Neoclassical period, giltwood mirrorsPair of very fine, Italian, Neoclassical period, giltwood mirrors (Item No. 831)
With original mercury glass and original giltwood surface. One of identical pair shown. Late 18th or early 19th century.

Provenance: from the collection of Mexican film star Maria Felix La Donna

Dimensions: 82" high by 36" wide

Very fine, Chinese export, black lacquer and Parcil gilt games tableVery fine, Chinese export, black lacquer and Parcil gilt games table (Item No. 822)
Featuring chess surface in mother of pearl and ebony and recessed backgammon board in the interior. Second quarter of the 19th century.

Spanish, iron-mounted, polychrome, parcel-gilt and bone-inlaid Vargueño (travelling trunk on stand)Spanish, iron-mounted, polychrome, parcel-gilt and bone-inlaid Vargueño (travelling trunk on stand) (Item No. 821)
In solid, carved walnut. 17th century. The rectangular case enclosing fourteen drawers and two cupboard doors, on a later walnut stand fitted with two small drawers and with later carved embellishments.

Dimensions: 59½" high by by 47¾" wide by 17½" deep

Very fine, Spanish, Neoclassical, flame mahogany and parcel-gilt coiffeuseVery fine, Spanish, Neoclassical, flame mahogany and parcel-gilt coiffeuse (Item No. 824)
Circa 1820.

Provenance: Collection d' Ariane Dandois

Dimensions: 82” high by 34¾” wide by 20&frac1/4;” deep

Very fine, Northern Italian, Neoclassical, painted and parcel-gilt overmantel mirrorVery fine, Northern Italian, Neoclassical, painted and parcel-gilt overmantel mirror (Item No. 801)
With original mercury glass. Late 18th century.

Dimensions: 61¼" high by 56" wide

Fine, French, Napoleon III period, black lacquer and gilt bronze and and incised gilt brass table a jeu (game table)Fine, French, Napoleon III period, black lacquer and gilt bronze and and incised gilt brass table a jeu (game table) (Item No. 813)
Opens to reveal felt playing surface. Circa 1860.

Rare, George IV period, giltwood and upholstered confidanteRare, George IV period, giltwood and upholstered confidante (Item No. 803)
Four seats. Circa 1825.

Fine, English, George III period, chinoiserie and parcel-gilt, tall-case clockFine, English, George III period, chinoiserie and parcel-gilt, tall-case clock (Item No. 802)
With clock dial signed "Sam Vale - Coventry." Late 18th century.

Italian, painted, lacca contrafatta, and parcel-gilt secretaire bookcaseItalian, painted, lacca contrafatta, and parcel-gilt secretaire bookcase (Item No. 586)
Mid 18th century.

Dimensions: 91" high by 48½" wide by 21¼" deep

Venetian, Louis XV style, gilt metal and cut crystal chandelierVenetian, Louis XV style, gilt metal and cut crystal chandelier (Item No. 789)
Early 19th century.

Dimensions: 42" high by 30" diameter

French, Louis XV style, carved giltwood chaise longue (meridian)French, Louis XV style, carved giltwood chaise longue (meridian) (Item No. 476)
19th century. Newly reupholstered.

Dimensions: 62" long by 30" deep (at deepest point) by 43" high (highest point)

Very fine French, Empire period, gilt-bronze and patinated bronze bouillote lampVery fine French, Empire period, gilt-bronze and patinated bronze bouillote lamp (Item No. 780)
With hand-chased detail and very dark green tole shade. Circa 1805.

Dimensions: 26" high by 13" diameter

Parisian, Louis XV period table a jeuParisian, Louis XV period table a jeu (Item No. 757)
In kingwood, ebony, and ivory veneers with cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze sabot feet. Opens to reveal a green felt poker surface. Mid-18th century.

Dimensions: closed: 25¼ wide by 22" deep by 28" high - when opened, poker surface is 25¼" by 44"

French, Louis XV period, carved giltwood console tableFrench, Louis XV period, carved giltwood console table (Item No. 683)
With marble top. Mid-18th century.

Dimensions: 61" wide by 28" deep by 33½" high

Rare pair of Art Nouveau period, carved, giltwood mirrorsRare pair of Art Nouveau period, carved, giltwood mirrors (Item No. 575)
With beveled glass. Late 19th or early 20th century.

Dimensions: 43" high by 28" wide

Pair of French, Regence style, carved giltwood and caned fauteuilsPair of French, Regence style, carved giltwood and caned fauteuils (Item No. 661)
One of identical pair shown. 19th century.

Dimensions: 35" high (at back) 18" high (at seat) by 24" wide by 21" deep

Italian, Regence period, black lacquer and gilt bronze bureau platItalian, Regence period, black lacquer and gilt bronze bureau plat (Item No. 751)
With gold-embossed, leather blotter, giltwood border, and legs terminating in bronze sabots (hoof feet). Early 18th century.

French, Louis XVI period tric-trac tableFrench, Louis XVI period tric-trac table (Item No. 718)
In solid, carved mahogany with flame mahogany veneer, gilt bronze trim, and tapered, fluted legs. Backgammon surface in ebony with ivory inlay. Leather top reverses to reveal felt playing surface for cards. Circa 1780.

Dimensions: 47" long by 27" deep by 28" high

Empire Style, Patinated and gilt-bronze chandelierEmpire Style, Patinated and gilt-bronze chandelier (Item No. 715)
Circa 1900.

Dimensions: 40" high

Set of ten Italian, neo-classical, cream painted and parcel gilt dining chairsSet of ten Italian, neo-classical, cream painted and parcel gilt dining chairs (Item No. 709)
Circa 1780, two side chairs of a later date.

Dimensions: armchair 22" wide by 34¾" high (at back)

Set of ten French, Louis XVI style, giltwood, lyre-back dining chairsSet of ten French, Louis XVI style, giltwood, lyre-back dining chairs (Item No. 684)
Newly upholstered. 19th century.

Dimensions: 18" wide by 18" deep by 18½" high (at the seat) and 37" high (at the back)

French, Louis XV style, gilt-iron and crystal, nine-arm chandelierFrench, Louis XV style, gilt-iron and crystal, nine-arm chandelier (Item No. 655)
With amethyst and clear crystals. Electrified. 19th century.

French, Green and gilt tole and cut glass, eight light chandelierFrench, Green and gilt tole and cut glass, eight light chandelier (Item No. 617)
Early 20th century.

Dimensions: 42" high by 36" in diameter

Viennese, Biedermeier period, giltwood, six-light chandelierViennese, Biedermeier period, giltwood, six-light chandelier (Item No. 609)
Early 19th century.

Dimensions: 35" diameter by 26" high

French, Regence period, carved, giltwood mirrorFrench, Regence period, carved, giltwood mirror (Item No. 510)
Of Italian inspiration, circa 1710, with original glass and original surface. (Shown here above Item 191, French, Louis XV-Louis XVI Transition, marble fireplace mantel and complementing cast iron surround.)

Dimensions: 81" high by 40" wide

Italian, Neoclassical (Retour d'Egypt), carved and painted giltwood mirrorItalian, Neoclassical (Retour d'Egypt), carved and painted giltwood mirror (Item No. 280)
With gilded sphinxes and foliage motif. Late 18th century or early 19th century. (Shown here above Item 561, Late George III painted and parcel gilt decorated settee.)

Dimensions: 48" wide by 70" high

Regence period, carved giltwood mirrorRegence period, carved giltwood mirror (Item No. 573)
With some of the original mercury glass. Early 18th century.

Dimensions: 34½" high by 23½" wide

French, 18th century, Louis XV period console tableFrench, 18th century, Louis XV period console table (Item No. 563)
In carved giltwood having a gray and white marble top.

Dimensions: 38" wide by 19" deep by 33" high

Pair of Louis XV period, carved giltwood corner consolesPair of Louis XV period, carved giltwood corner consoles (Item No. 558)
With original giltwood surface and marble top. Identically carved, one of slightly larger dimension. Mid-18th century.

Pair of Louis XV style, carved, giltwood, three-arm mirror/sconcesPair of Louis XV style, carved, giltwood, three-arm mirror/sconces (Item No. 536)
One of symmetrical pair shown. Original glass and original surface. Early 19th century.

Dimensions: 25" high by 14" wide

French, Provençal (Beaucaire), Louis XV period, carved giltwood console tableFrench, Provençal (Beaucaire), Louis XV period, carved giltwood console table (Item No. 530)
With Breche violet, beveled marble. 18th century.

Dimensions: 43" wide by 20" deep by 35" high

Florentine, Baroque, carved giltwood mirrorFlorentine, Baroque, carved giltwood mirror (Item No. 420)
With some original surface. Late 17th century.

Dimensions: 22" wide by 33" high

French, Louis XV period ottomanFrench, Louis XV period ottoman (Item No. 281)
Very rare sofa in carved giltwood having the characteristic corbeille shaped back and outward curved seat. 18th century.

Dimensions: 78" wide by 32" deep by 39½" high (at back)

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