Antique Furniture Glossary: P

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • I • L • M • P • R • S • T • V Terms Defined: Papier-mâché, parcel gilded, Parquetry, pastiglia, pied de biche, pied de sabots, pietra dura, pietre dure, poudreuse

Papier-mâché

Literal translation: mashed paper. Articles such as table tops, small boxes and serving trays that were made from paper pulp and subsequently lacquered and decorated in Oriental fashion. The technique originated in China and was introduced to England by French immigrants in the 1600's. Papier-mâché furniture enjoyed great popularity in the mid 19th century when improved techniques allowed for the material to be shaped at angles that were impossible to achieve in wood.

Parcel gilded

Selective gilding on only portions or specific decorative elements.

Examples from our gallery: Fine, English, George I style, chinoiserie, fall-front secretary (Item No. 915) In black lacquer, painted and parcel gilded. Late 19th or early 20th century. Very fine and rare, French Louis XV period, painted and parcel gilded trumeau (Item No. 856) With original mercury glass, original giltwood surface, and original painting. Mid-18th century. 100" tall by 50" wide Fine 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. 53" wide by 35" high by 22" deep Set 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. Fourth quarter of the 19th century 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) Set of four Consulat style chaises (Item No. 774) Crème painted and parcel gilded with Greek key motif. 19th century. 18" wide by 18" deep by 17" high (at seat) and 33" high (at back)

Parquetry

Furniture veneering in a decorative, geometric pattern.

See our Parquetry category for examples.

Pastiglia

Gesso (plaster) that was dripped on furniture in layers and then carved and gilded in bas-relief in the Italian Renaissance period.

Examples from our gallery: Italian, 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. 29½" high by 71½" wide by 23¼" deep

Pied de biche

Deer feet, typically found at the base of cabriole legs in Regence and Louis XV furniture. (c.f. pied de sabots)

Examples from our gallery: Regence period, Provençal, three-drawer commode (Item No. 553) In solid, carved walnut with marble top and pied de biche. Early 18th century. 45" wide by 39" by 26" deep

Pied de sabots

Hoof feet, typically found at the base of cabriole legs in Regence and Louis XV furniture. (c.f. pied de biche)

Examples from our gallery: Fine, French, Rocaille style table de milieu (center table) (Item No. 896) In solid walnut, carved on all four sides, with pierced apron on front and back, cabriole legs terminating in pied de sabots, and original rouge des Flandres marble top. Early 19th century. 33½" high by 48½" wide by 24¾" deep Set of six fine, French, Regence style, carved giltwood fauteuils (Item No. 862) Each with foliate carved, channelled frame and carved, giltwood entertrotoise (stretchers). Legs terminating in pied de sabots. Each chair applied with a paper label to the underside, CALIFORNIA PALACE FOR THE LEGION OF HONOR, 21, LINCOLN PARK, SAN FRANCISCO/1958.54/armchair, wood carved, gesso and gilt; upholstered in silk and wool petit-point embroidery/France, style of about 1710/Lent by the W.H. Crocker Estate and with a stencilled label GUERDE/doreur encadreur/45 rue de Bourgogne 45/Paris/meubles batiment a cadres dor/aes Noir met imitation d'…./eatt/aemiation et oxidisation de 10r. One of six matching chairs shown. 19th century. Provenance: W.H. Crocker - Accessioned by the California Palace for the Legion of Honor in 1958 Very fine, French provincial, Regence period console table (Item No. 867) In solid, carved oak with original marble top. Legs terminating in pied de sabots. Circa 1725. 47¾" wide by 33" high by 25¼" deep Fine, 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. 30¼" high by 31½" wide by 17" deep Italian, Rococco period, walnut console (Item No. 838) With wooden top painted to resemble marble and legs terminating in pied de sabots. From Naples. Mid-18th century. 60" wide by 35" high by 26½" deep French, Regence period bureau en pente (Item No. 667) Early 18th century and later. In solid, carved oak with legs terminating in "pied de sabots." 38" high by 27" wide by 24" deep Louis XV style, Italian bureau plat (Item No. 414) With painted verde gris finish and embossed leather writing surface, exaggerated cabriole legs ending in pied de sabots. Late 18th or early 19th century. 65" wide by 29" deep by 30" high Regence period canapé (Item No. 485) In solid, carved walnut with original needlepoint tapestry and legs terminating in pied de sabots. Early 18th century. 73" wide by 27" deep by 42" high

Pietra dura

Italian form of pietre dure.

See our Pietra Dura category for examples.

Pietre dure

Decorative work using inlaid, semi-precious stones to depict scenes, geometric patterns, floral motifs, etc.

Poudreuse

A dressing table. (c.f., coiffeuse)