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An ornamental inlay, which is generally in contrasting wood, and laid either cross-grain or diagonally. It can often be found in other materials such as ivory, silver, pewter and brass. Can also be found in a herringbone pattern, which was popular on walnut furniture, from the early C18th.

The turning of a leg or column etc. resembling a screw thread (also known as spiral twist or barley sugar twist).

Originating in Italy, this architectural and decorative style spread through Europe in the C17th. It is characterised by its exuberant grandeur and bold curvaceous forms, and sometimes tends towards heaviness and pomposity.

Unglazed black stoneware, developed by Wedgwood.

Another name for Astragal , it can also refer to a moulding of small repeated roundel s like beads, which is properly called Pearling, and not to be confused with gadrooning . See also *censored*bead .

Used in the construction of furniture, this horizontal member is used to support another part, for instance the leaves of a dining table. (See loper ).

A wooden bench or settle whose box-like seat opened out to form a bed.

Curtains surrounding a four-poster bed that not only ensured warmth and privacy but also displayed the family's wealth and good taste. Bed hangings were among the most expensive linens in a colonial household.

Curtains surrounding a four-poster bed that not only ensured warmth and privacy but also displayed the family's wealth and good taste. Bed hangings were among the most expensive linens in a colonial household.

Either the poles running between the tops of the bed posts to support the hangings, or a long-handled paddle used for smoothing the sheets when making a bed kept in the corner of a room.

Either the poles running between the tops of the bed posts to support the hangings, or a long-handled paddle used for smoothing the sheets when making a bed kept in the corner of a room.

A set of two or three steps, sometimes with a compartment for a chamber pot, to help the elderly, the delicate, and the short-legged get in and out of high beds.

A long-handled brass or copper pan that held hot coals for warming the bed. Called a "warming pan" in England.

A short candle that burned for only 15 or 20 minutes and extinguished itself after one had gone to bed. The stub ends of regular candles were often used in this way.

A short candle that burned for only 15 or 20 minutes and extinguished itself after one had gone to bed. The stub ends of regular candles were often used in this way.

A fibrous growth on trees, sometimes called Spanish moss, used for bed stuffing.

A piece of furniture resembling a secretary, in which the "desk" opened to a washstand, and the "bookcase" to a bed. An extreme example of Victorian ingenuity, but there were many like it, showing that even by the end of the 19th century, living rooms were still slept in.

Amateur embroidery using coloured wools on a canvas grid.

A dessert-sized spoon with fruit embossed on the bowl (many Georgian spoons have Victorian embossing). Used for eating fruit.

A surface or edge cut at an angle, particularly applies to a panel, and commonly seen on glass and mirrors. When at 45 degrees, it's known as a chamfer .

A device used under a table top to mount it on the pedestal , which allows it to rotate and tip up. It takes the form of four columns, hence its name.

Unglazed porcelain, fired only once.

See Mule Chest. An American term for a lift-top chest with drawers underneath.

See Fret

A cube-shaped foot, a solid block of wood, which is used generally with a square untapered leg.

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