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Popular in the mid C18th, it's a motif or ornament generally carved on the knees of cabriole legs, and comprises of a ball or domed shape, usually with rocaille or foliate surround. The term is also applied to a jewel cut into a domed shape, and was especially popular in the late C19th.

An elegant, tall, curving leg, subject to many designs and variations, and found on many pieces of furniture, from the height of its popularity in the first half of the C18th, right through to the late C19th. It is formed of a convex curve above a concave one and resembles an animal's leg: in fact, the name 'cabriole' is derived from the Italian 'Capro', or goat. This type of leg was made with many different types of foot including plain, club , pad, paw, ball ,ball-and-claw ,scroll etc.

A short spoon (usually about 3" long) with a large bowl. Used for spooning tea leaves from a tea caddy . Made of sterling silver in many fanciful and decorative shapes. Highly collectible.

A symmetrical utensil shaped like a large, flat triangle, used for serving cakes and pies. See Fish Slice.

Wares made by combining two or more layers of differently coloured glass which was carved to make a design in relief.

A four poster bed, easil demountable, for use by military officers in the field.

A small handleless cup of silver or porcelain, usually a straight-sided or slightly flared cylinder, used for drinking wine in the eighteenth century.

A thin, small slide designe Card or Game Table : A small folding table at which four people could sit. Used for playing cards or other games. Often with a fold-over top. A very common form of table in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. More information about turret corner card tables.

A table with a fold-over top, usually supported by a gateleg , and which is lined with green baize for playing cards. These tables often also have dishes for the money or tokens.

A small portable clock with a carrying handle.

See Papier mache

An ornate shield or tablet, properly in the form of an unrolled scroll, and often surrounded by scrollwork or foliate decoration. They often bear an heraldic coat of arms, maker's name, or some other inscription.

A Classical upright female figure used as "supporting" decoration. The term is often incorrectly applied to the male equivalent, which, however, is correctly called an Atlantis .

Furniture intended as a receptacle, such as a chest of drawers.

A sauce ladle with a pierced bowl. Used for sprinkling sugar over fruit.

A quarter-round concave moulding , often used on cornices . (See ovolo).

An eighteenth century lidded case for wine bottles, often of the highest craftsmanship, usually on casters. Cellarets were fitted with locks to keep bibulous servants at bay and were typically kept under serving tables in the dining room. Sideboards, introduced at the end of the century, included cupboards for storing bottles. They rapidly replaced cellarets.

Often found at each end of a festoon (or garland), it's a Classical decorative pendant of flowers and fruit suspended vertically from one end. Also a name sometimes used for the threads that make the warp or weft of a carpet.

Abevelled edge, usually at 45°.

The style period after the Cromwellian Protectorate (1660-1680). King Charles II brought French taste to England following his exile from England to the French court. Characterized by the use of walnut, although oak is still prominent.

A method of decorating silver and other metals by creating a raised pattern using a hammer or punch. Also known as embossing.

Alternating light and dark inlaid wooden squares, as would be found on a chess board, but forming a single line or strip of inlay . See Parquetry .

A large storage box with lid, designed to stand on the floor. The earliest form of storage, common from the seventeenth century onwards. (See also Coffer.)

A chest fitted with drawers.

A two-part case piece with both parts containing three or four layers of drawers and standing on low feet or base.

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