Antique Furniture and Reproductions Terminology

Choosing the perfect antique reproduction furniture requires an understanding of historical craftsmanship and design terminology. Confronted with terms such as "mortise and tenon joinery" or "cartouche," even the most discerning collector may find the process daunting.

To provide clarity and enhance your appreciation of fine furniture, we have compiled this comprehensive glossary. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you will gain deeper insight into the artistry and construction that define each piece. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or an enthusiastic collector, this resource will guide you in making informed decisions and recognizing the hallmarks of timeless design.

Antique Furniture and Reproductions Terms

• Adam Leg – Named after 18th-century furniture designer Robert Adam, this leg style maintains a consistent width along its length, tapering slightly at the end into a rounded foot.
  
  
• Acanthus / Acanthus Leaves – A decorative motif featuring a stylized version of the jagged leaves of Acanthus spinosus, a Mediterranean plant. This design is often hand-carved into furniture, particularly in classical and baroque styles.
  
  
• Ajouré – A French term meaning "pierced" or "openwork," referring to an ornament or decorative element with cut-out patterns that allow light to pass through. In antique furniture, ajouré commonly appears in intricate carvings, as seen in Laurel Crown's desks, Cheveret desks, Whatnot shelves, Antique Half Moon Table, and Rococo Console Table with Grape Details. Ajouré is a feminine noun in French.
  
  
• Ajourée – The masculine form of ajouré, also meaning "pierced" or "openwork." It describes a decorative element featuring intricate cut-outs that create a sense of depth and lightness.
  
  
• Arbalette – A serpentine or bow-shaped design element, particularly associated with the curving fronts of Louis XV commodes, buffets, and consoles. The term is derived from the French word for "crossbow" due to its distinctive curvature.
  
  
• Armoire – A large, freestanding wardrobe or cupboard traditionally used for storing clothing, linens, or household items. Originating in France, armoires often feature elaborate carvings and paneled doors.
  
  
• Art Nouveau – An artistic movement and decorative style that emerged in the 1880s in England and gained popularity across Europe—particularly in Belgium, France, and Germany—by the early 1890s. Characterized by flowing, organic forms inspired by nature, Art Nouveau emphasized craftsmanship and artistic integrity. It remained influential for about two decades before giving way to Art Deco.
  
  
• Astragal – A decorative molding profile featuring a half-round surface flanked by two flat fillets. While it can refer to architectural elements found at the top or base of a column, in antique furniture, an astragal is commonly used as a framing device, especially in woodwork and glass cabinetry.
  
  
• Baroque – A highly ornate and elaborate artistic style that flourished in Europe from 1600 to 1750. Baroque furniture is characterized by intricate carvings, gilding, and dramatic visual elements, often featuring acanthus leaves, shells, and detailed scrollwork. This style emphasized grandeur, movement, and theatricality, reflecting the opulence of the era.
  
  
• Bergère – A large, upholstered armchair with enclosed sides and a loose seat cushion, designed for comfort. Popularized in France during the Louis XV period, the bergère features a deep, wide seat, carved wooden frame, and padded armrests. In 18th-century England, similar chairs were sometimes called "burjairs" or "barjairs."
  
  
• Biedermeier – A furniture and design style that emerged between 1815 and 1848, reflecting the tastes of Europe’s growing middle class. Originating in Austria and Germany and later spreading to Sweden and Russia, Biedermeier furniture is known for its clean, simple lines, minimal ornamentation, and fine veneer work, prioritizing functionality and craftsmanship over excessive decoration.
  
  
• Ball and Claw – A foot design found in Chippendale furniture, typically at the base of a cabriole leg. The design depicts an animal’s claw—often inspired by a lion or eagle—grasping a rounded ball. This motif, originating from Chinese and European influences, symbolizes strength and power.
  
  
• Baluster Leg – A furniture leg style resembling a baluster, often featuring subtle lathe-turned scrollwork on the upper and lower portions. Popular in the 17th century, this style continued to be used in furniture design into the 19th century. Similar to Adam-style legs but with additional detailing.
  
  
• Baroque (Alternative Definition) – Baroque furniture is known for its lavish ornamentation, bold curves, and symmetrical compositions. Emerging in Italy in the early 17th century after the Renaissance, this style emphasized grandeur, harmony, and theatrical opulence, integrating sculptural elements into furniture design.
  
  
• Bobbin Leg – A turned-leg style featuring evenly spaced, spool-like embellishments created on a lathe. Some variations include rounded, oval, or squared interruptions between the bobbin sections. This distinctive leg style was prevalent in 17th-century furniture design.
  
  
• Bombé – A French term describing a furniture shape with an outwardly curving or bulging form, often seen in chests and commodes. This design, popular in the Rococo period, gives furniture a sculptural and elegant appearance.
  
  
• Buffet Deux Corps – A two-tiered buffet consisting of a larger lower cabinet and a shallower upper cabinet. The upper section may have wood or glass-paneled doors. This French-style storage piece is often elaborately carved and used for displaying fine china or storing dining essentials.
  
  
• Bureau Plat – A flat-topped writing desk, often featuring a long rectangular shape with multiple drawers beneath the surface. Commonly associated with 18th-century French furniture, the bureau plat is both functional and elegant, frequently adorned with fine marquetry, gilding, or leather writing surfaces.
  
  
• Burl – A rare and highly prized wood grain pattern formed in the knotted or diseased portions of a tree’s root or trunk, often resulting from injury to the bark. Burl wood is valued for its intricate, swirling, or mottled patterns, making it ideal for veneers in both formal and provincial furniture. It is most commonly found in walnut and elm.
  
  
• 20. Butterfly Joint – A distinctive, bowtie-shaped wooden joint used to reinforce two adjoining boards or to prevent a split in wood from expanding. Often seen in rustic and handcrafted furniture, butterfly joints also serve as a decorative element, highlighting the natural beauty of the wood grain while ensuring structural stability.
  
  
• Cabriole Leg – A graceful furniture leg style popular in the early to mid-18th century, inspired by the natural curve of an animal’s leg, particularly that of a leaping goat. It features an outwardly curved knee and an inwardly curved ankle, ending in a decorative foot. This leg style is strongly associated with Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture.
  
  
• Canapé – A formal, upholstered sofa, typically found in French antique furniture, often with a carved wooden frame and elegant detailing.
  
  
• Chaise Longue (Chaise Lounge) – A long, upholstered reclining chair designed to support the legs, resembling an elongated armchair. Originally a French design, the chaise longue is associated with luxury and relaxation.
  
  
• Cartouche – An elaborate, hand-carved decorative frame, typically oval and often surrounded by scrollwork. Common in antique French and Italian furniture, cartouches were used as ornamental medallions, framing motifs, or heraldic crests.
  
  
• Chinoiserie – A European decorative style that imitated and incorporated Chinese artistic elements, popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Chinoiserie furniture often features intricate lacquer work, hand-painted Asian-inspired scenes, pagoda motifs, and gilded details.
  
  
• Chippendale – Named after Thomas Chippendale, an 18th-century London cabinetmaker, this term refers to furniture designed in the mid-Georgian, English Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. Chippendale’s designs were so influential in Britain, Europe, and America that "Chippendale" became a general descriptor for furniture in his style.
  
  
• Classical – A design aesthetic influenced by ancient Greek and Roman styles, characterized by symmetry, proportion, and decorative elements such as columns, friezes, and acanthus leaves.
  
  
• Colonial – Refers to furniture styles from the American Colonial period (1700–1780), which blended influences from early American, Jacobean, William and Mary, and Queen Anne styles. Colonial furniture is known for its practicality, craftsmanship, and use of solid wood, often with minimal ornamentation.
  
  
• Commode – A low, decorative chest of drawers, typically standing on short legs, designed to be placed against a wall or beside a bed. In French furniture, a commode often features elaborate marquetry, ormolu mounts, and curved forms.
  
  
• Console Table – A narrow table designed to stand against a wall, usually supported by two bracket-like legs or a wall-mounted frame. Often found in hallways, entryways, or as decorative accent pieces in formal rooms.
  
  
• Coquille – A decorative motif featuring a stylized seashell or scallop shape, commonly found in Rococo and Louis XV furniture.
  
  
• Corbeille à Fleurs – Literally translating to "flower basket," this term refers to floral basket carvings that are characteristic of Louis XV-style furniture, often adorning headboards, armoires, and decorative panels.
  
  
• Credenza – A sideboard or buffet with a flat surface for serving and enclosed cabinet space below for storage. Commonly used in dining rooms and offices.
  
  
• Demi-Lune – French for "half-moon," this term describes a semi-circular table designed to be placed against a wall. Demi-lune tables are often used as decorative accent tables or entryway furniture.
  
  
• Deer Feet (Pied de Biche) – A foot design found at the base of cabriole legs in Régence and Louis XV furniture, resembling the delicate hoof of a deer. This elegant and refined detail is a hallmark of fine French craftsmanship.
  
  
• Dovetail Joinery – A woodworking technique used to create strong, interlocking joints between two pieces of wood. The joint consists of wedge-shaped "tails" that fit tightly into corresponding "pins," forming a connection that is nearly impossible to pull apart. Commonly found in antique furniture, particularly in drawer construction.
  
  
• Duchesse Brisée – A variation of the chaise longue, this furniture piece consists of two separate sections: a chair and a matching ottoman or footrest. The elongated design allows for flexible seating arrangements while maintaining the elegance of a chaise.
  
  
• Dutch Foot – A simple, flattened oval-shaped furniture foot resting on a disk or pad, often seen as a variation of the club foot. This design was commonly used in 18th-century Dutch and English furniture.
  
  
• Empire Style – An early 19th-century design movement representing the second phase of Neoclassicism. Originating in France during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I, Empire style furniture was designed to glorify his leadership and the French state. It features strong, symmetrical forms, classical motifs (such as laurel wreaths, eagles, and sphinxes), and rich, luxurious materials.
  
  
• Enfilade – A long, sideboard-style cabinet with a series of compartments or drawers accessible through multiple doors in a row. The term comes from the French word enfiler, meaning "to thread," referring to the way the compartments align in a continuous sequence.
  
  
• Escutcheon – A decorative metal plate that surrounds a keyhole, often serving both ornamental and protective purposes. Escutcheons are commonly found on antique chests, cabinets, and desks.
  
  
• Fauteuil – A French upholstered armchair with open sides, a wooden frame, and exposed arms. Typically found in Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, the fauteuil is known for its elegant curves and refined craftsmanship.
  
  
• Federal Style – A furniture style developed in the United States between 1780 and 1830, heavily influenced by the neoclassical principles of Andrea Palladio. Federal furniture features graceful straight lines, light construction, tapered legs, intricate inlays, and contrasting veneers. It reflects the young nation's aspiration for refinement and sophistication.
  
  
• Flemish Scroll – A decorative furniture element featuring a double scroll, formed by two opposing C-shaped curves connected at an angle. Commonly found on furniture legs and arms, this style emerged in the late 17th century, particularly in Baroque design.
  
  
• French Provincial – A furniture style that blends rustic charm with Parisian elegance, originating from the French countryside. It features refined yet practical designs, often with hand-carved details, natural wood finishes, and subtle ornamentation.
  
  
• Gadrooning – A decorative carving technique featuring a series of convex, rounded notches or fluted patterns along moldings, table edges, or furniture bases. Often found in Baroque and Rococo furniture, gadrooning adds texture and visual interest.
  
  
• Georgian Style – A furniture style popular from 1714 to 1820, spanning the reigns of three English kings (George I, George II, and George III). Known for its elegance and balance, Georgian furniture features refined proportions, symmetrical designs, and influences from classical architecture. The cabriole leg remained popular, but the ball-and-claw foot was gradually replaced by simpler forms such as the Dutch foot.
  
  
• Girandole – An elaborate, often gilded, ornamental wall sconce or candlestick holder, typically backed with a mirror to enhance light reflection. Girandoles were particularly popular in the 18th century.
  
  
• Gothic Style – A furniture style inspired by the Gothic architecture of medieval Europe (1300–1500). Characterized by pointed arches, intricate tracery, heavy wooden construction, and elaborate carvings, Gothic furniture conveys a sense of grandeur and spirituality.
  
  
• Gothic Revival – A 19th-century revival of medieval Gothic design, popular between 1830 and 1860. Furniture in this style featured pointed arches, elaborate cut-out patterns, spiral turnings, and decorative tracery. It was part of a broader Romantic movement that celebrated medieval craftsmanship.
  
  
• Guéridon – A small, round table originally designed to hold a candlestick or candelabrum. Originating in France in the 17th century, guéridons often feature ornate, sculptural bases and were used as decorative accent tables.
  
  
• Hepplewhite Style – A neoclassical furniture style named after British cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite. Known for its light and graceful appearance, Hepplewhite furniture features slender, tapered legs, shield-shaped chair backs, delicate inlays, and contrasting veneers.
  
  
• Hoof Feet (Pied de Sabots) – A furniture foot design resembling an animal’s hoof, often found at the base of cabriole legs in Régence and Louis XV furniture. The hoof foot adds a refined and naturalistic detail to French furniture.
  
  
• Inlay – A decorative woodworking technique in which contrasting materials, such as different types of wood, metal, or ivory, are set into the surface of furniture to create patterns, motifs, or intricate designs. Inlay is commonly used in antique furniture to add artistic detail and craftsmanship.
  
  
• Jacobean Style – A furniture style from the early 17th century (1603–1625) characterized by sturdy oak construction and mortise-and-tenon joinery. Jacobean furniture features rectilinear forms, with chairs having straight backs and rectangular seats. As a transitional style between medieval and Renaissance influences, it introduced designs intended to be viewed from all sides, foreshadowing later furniture styles that prioritized comfort and ornamentation.
  
  
• Josef Danhauser – An Austrian furniture maker whose workshop, founded by Josef Ulrich Danhauser in Vienna, became known for its elegant, neoclassical designs. This style emphasizes geometric simplicity, light wood tones, and minimal ornamentation, reflecting the refined aesthetic of early 19th-century Austrian craftsmanship.
  
  
• John Cobb & William Vile – Prominent 18th-century British cabinetmakers who served King George III. William Vile specialized in an Anglicized Rococo style, featuring ornate carvings and fluid forms, while John Cobb’s work reflected the refined elegance of Neoclassicism, incorporating clean lines and symmetrical compositions.
  
  
• Knuckled Arm (Scrolled Knuckle Arm) – A chair arm design featuring a rounded, knuckle-shaped carving at the front. Commonly found in Chippendale and Regency-era furniture, this detail adds both visual interest and a comfortable handrest.
  
  
• Les Os de Mouton – A French term meaning "sheep’s bone," referring to the distinctive S-curved stretchers used in Louis XIV furniture. This decorative feature provides both stability and an elegant, sculptural quality to tables and chairs.
  
  
• Marlborough Leg – A straight, square-legged furniture style often seen in 18th-century English furniture. Typically unadorned, some variations feature fluted grooves or subtle carvings. The Marlborough leg usually ends in a block foot, lending a sturdy and refined appearance.
  
  
• Marquetry – A decorative technique in which wood veneers are carefully cut and arranged like a jigsaw puzzle to create intricate patterns or pictorial designs. Unlike inlay, which is set into recessed areas, marquetry is a surface application, commonly seen in fine antique furniture.
  
  
• Marquise Chair – A broad, deep-seated armchair designed in the Louis XV period to accommodate the wide skirts and panniers of 18th-century fashion. Marquise chairs are known for their elegant proportions and plush upholstery.
  
  
• Mortise and Tenon Joinery – A traditional woodworking technique used for thousands of years to create strong, stable joints. This method involves inserting a projecting tenon into a corresponding mortise hole, commonly used in cabinetry, furniture, and architectural structures.
  
  
• Mullion – A vertical or horizontal structural element that divides window panes. In furniture design, mullions are often used as decorative framing for glass panels in display cabinets and antique bookcases.
  
  
• Neoclassical Style – A furniture style that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by bold, straight lines and geometric forms. Neoclassical design replaced the elaborate curves of the Rococo period with symmetrical, architecturally inspired elements drawn from Greek and Roman antiquity.
  
  
• Parquetry – A decorative woodworking technique using geometric patterns of veneer inlaid into furniture or flooring. Unlike marquetry, which often depicts floral or pictorial scenes, parquetry focuses on angular and repetitive designs, such as herringbone or checkerboard patterns.
  
  
• Patera – A circular or oval ornamental carving resembling a shallow dish, often adorned with floral or leaf motifs. Commonly used as decorative accents in classical furniture, particularly on corner blocks and friezes.
  
  
• Patina – A rich, aged surface sheen that develops on furniture over time due to natural wear, oxidation, and repeated polishing. A well-preserved patina enhances an antique’s character and value.
  
  
• Pied de Biche (Deer Feet) – A furniture foot design resembling a deer’s hoof, often found at the base of cabriole legs in Régence and Louis XV furniture. The delicate, tapered shape adds elegance to the piece.
  
  
• Pied de Sabots (Hoof Feet) – A furniture foot style inspired by the cloven hoof of an animal, commonly featured on cabriole legs in Régence and Louis XV furniture. This design detail complements the organic curves of the period’s aesthetic.
  
  
• Queen Anne Style – A furniture style popular from the mid-1720s to around 1760, known for its graceful, curved lines and restrained ornamentation. Characteristic features include cabriole legs, shell motifs, and gently curved crest rails, arms, and pediments. This style marked a shift toward lighter, more refined designs compared to the heavier Baroque furniture that preceded it.
  
  
• Reeded – A decorative leg style featuring parallel, carved grooves along its length, inspired by Greek and Roman column designs. Common in Neoclassical, Regency, and Empire furniture, reeded legs add texture and refinement. They are frequently found in Sheraton-style pieces.
  
  
• Regency Style – A British furniture style from the early 19th century, marked by clean lines, flat surfaces, and minimal carving. Instead of elaborate contours, Regency furniture often featured painted or veneered wood with decorative motifs such as rosettes, lion masks, and metal paw feet. Named after the regency of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV), this style reflected the influence of classical antiquity.
  
  
• Rococo Style – An opulent and highly decorative furniture style that emerged in 18th-century France. Rococo furniture is characterized by elaborate curves, asymmetrical designs, and an abundance of ornamentation, often incorporating gilding, exotic materials, and intricate carvings. This style emphasized luxury and theatricality, contrasting with the more restrained Neoclassical movement that followed.
  
  
• Rosette – A decorative, circular carving that resembles a flower. While often round, rosettes can also be square or oval and frequently feature Tudor roses, daisies, or other floral motifs. Some variations incorporate lion heads or radiating flutes, commonly used in classical furniture designs.
  
  
• Saber Leg – A chair leg style that gently flares outward, resembling the curve of a saber sword. Variations exist in both round and square shapes, often tapering toward the foot. This elegant design was especially popular in Sheraton, Regency, and Empire furniture.
  
  
• Serpentine – A furniture design featuring an undulating front or side profile, with a convex (protruding) center section flanked by concave curves. Common in 18th-century case furniture such as chests and sideboards, serpentine forms add visual movement and sophistication.
  
  
• Shell Motif – A decorative carving resembling a seashell, often seen in early Georgian, Queen Anne, and Chippendale furniture. This hand-carved embellishment frequently appears on chair crests, drawer fronts, and knees of cabriole legs.
  
  
• Sheraton Style – A late 18th-century Neoclassical furniture style named after English designer Thomas Sheraton. Known for its simple elegance, Sheraton furniture features geometric forms, straight lines, and refined proportions. Column-like legs, delicate inlay work, and contrasting woods are hallmarks of this style.
  
  
• Spanish Foot (Braganza Foot) – A decorative foot style influenced by Spanish Baroque artisans, commonly found on tables and chair legs. It features a scroll-like or trapezoidal shape, often carved to resemble the cresting wave of a scroll. This design became particularly popular in English and Dutch furniture of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
  
  
• Spider Leg – A delicate, thin leg style often found on tripod and quadruped tables. Resembling the spindly legs of a spider, these legs curve outward and usually terminate in spade feet or simple rounded ends, providing both elegance and stability.
  
  
• Spiral Leg (Barley Twist or Barley Sugar Twist) – A decorative furniture leg style featuring a twisted, spiral design. Popular in the late 17th century during the William and Mary period, this style saw a revival in the Empire, Federal, and Victorian periods, often appearing on chair legs, table supports, and bedposts.
  
  
• Trumpet Leg – A furniture leg design that tapers outward like the bell of a trumpet. Typically found in late 17th-century furniture, this style often features a rounded, dome-capped top and a base terminating in a bun, ball, or Spanish foot.
  
  
• Veneer – A thin decorative layer of fine wood applied to a solid wood or composite base, enhancing the appearance of furniture while conserving expensive materials. Veneering allows for intricate patterns and luxurious finishes, often used in marquetry and parquetry designs.
  
  
• Victorian Style – A furniture style from the mid-19th to early 20th century, named after Queen Victoria. Victorian furniture is known for its rich ornamentation, dark woods, and plush upholstery. Common decorative elements include floral carvings, scrolling vines, ribbons, and elaborate inlays, reflecting the era’s romantic and eclectic influences.
  
  
• Verdigris (Verde Gris) – A distinctive grayish-green patina or paint finish, often with hints of teal or deep green. Commonly used on 18th-century Windsor chairs and antique furniture, verdigris mimics the natural oxidation of copper or bronze over time.
  
  
• William and Mary Style – A late 17th-century furniture style named after England’s King William III and Queen Mary II. Characterized by its tall, slender proportions and Dutch influences, this style introduced dovetail joinery, cabriole legs, and intricate veneers. Queen Mary’s preference for Dutch furniture led to an influx of Dutch artisans in England, shaping the style’s distinctive look, which combined lightness with sturdy craftsmanship.