» Antiques  

Antique Glossary


Search By Alphabetic Order
All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z|

From the Dutch wagenschott, this is a type of fine straight-grained quarter-cut oak which was imported from the Baltic in the C16th and C17th, and which was originally used for wagon shafts. The term later became synonymous with oak, largely because the term is also applied to oak panelling used to line the interior walls of houses in the late C16th and early C17th.

A small stand designed to hold a wash basin, a pitcher or bottle of water, and beakers.

A decorative motif, popularly carved on mouldings circa 1810-1840 which was based on waterlily foliage, and took the form of a narrow leaf with a central stem, in horizontal undulations.

A convex curve between two concave curves (see serpentine ).

The style period at the end of the seventeenth century (1680-1700) referring to the reign of William of Orange and Queen Mary, who brought Dutch and Continental tastes to England.

A country chair, introduced in the late C18th, and although largely made in Slough near Windsor, (hence the name) they are found in some quite distinct regional variations. Its principal distinguishing feature is that it's essentially a stool with a back on it. They always have solid, shaped seats, into which the leg and back assembly is dowelled, holding the whole thing together. Crinoline stretchers are very desirable.

Originally, in the eighteenth century, a small wagon on wheels used for circulating wine around a large dining table. Often a coaster would be fitted with decanters for port, claret, and madeira. Coasters were made of silver or mahogany and later were made to slide on baize rather than roll on wheels. It is this form that evolved into the modern coaster.

A floor-standing box lined with lead in which to keep white wine in ice water.

A small funnel made from silver or plate used for decanting wine. It had a filter at the top to catch any lees, and its spout was angled at the bottom to send the wine down the glass side of the decanter so that its color could be checked.

Small shield-shaped labels hung on fine silver chains around the necks of decanters to identify their contents. Common from about 1775 until the end of the Victorian period and still reproduced, the labels

A small, low stand, usually on a tripod base.

ABreak-front bookcase

Find