Terminology
A Guide to Styles, Motifs, Materials, and Forms
Antique furniture carries with it not just physical beauty, but a rich vocabulary shaped by history, craftsmanship, and regional tradition. Understanding the terms used in product descriptions can help you recognise what makes a piece distinctive, authentic, or valuable. This guide offers clarity on commonly used language – from stylistic references to structural forms – to help you browse with greater confidence and appreciation.
How We Describe Our Pieces
All dimensions are provided in millimetres and refer to the most extreme point of the piece. For example, the stated width of an armoire includes the overhanging top cornice at each end.
Each item also carries a stock identification number, which can be used when making enquiries. Unless otherwise noted, all pieces are of French origin. Dates of manufacture are given as accurately as possible. When a piece reflects a particular stylistic period and was produced within that timeframe, we refer to it as such – for example, a Louis XV buffet. When an item has been made later, in the style of an earlier period, it will be described accordingly: for example, Louis XVI-style chair. These will often include a “circa” date to indicate the estimated time of production.
Periods, Styles, and Surface Qualities
Baroque
A European style of art and architecture that originated in Italy in the early 17th century and influenced furniture design in France shortly thereafter. Characterised by dramatic curves, elaborate ornamentation, and a sense of movement and grandeur.
Circa
From Latin, meaning “around” or “about.” Used when the date of manufacture or period of origin cannot be determined with complete accuracy.
Ebonised Wood
Wood that has been stained or lacquered to appear black, imitating the look of ebony. Popular in 19th-century French furniture, particularly during the Second Empire period.
Gilding
The application of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface, commonly used on wood or metal. Gilding was frequently employed on carvings, mouldings, and furniture mounts to convey opulence and highlight detail.
Laurel Wreath
A classical motif featuring a circular or horseshoe arrangement of laurel leaves. Symbolising victory and authority, it was often used in Empire-style decoration and other neoclassical designs.
Marquetry
The decorative art of applying pieces of veneer to a surface to form intricate patterns, pictures, or designs. Common materials include wood, shell, and metal. Prominent in Louis XIV and Louis XV furniture.
Neoclassicism
A design movement inspired by the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasises symmetry, order, and restrained ornament, and became dominant in French furniture during the Louis XVI and Empire periods.
Ormolu
Gilded bronze or brass mounts used for decorative purposes, often seen on chests, clocks, and tables. Ormolu became especially prominent in the 18th century as a luxurious embellishment.
Palmette
A stylised palm leaf motif used in classical ornamentation. Typically found on friezes, chair rails, or furniture mounts, especially during the Empire period and other neoclassical phases.
Patina
A thin surface layer that develops on wood, metal, or paint over time through natural ageing and exposure. Considered desirable, patina is a visible record of use, care, and history.
Retour d’Égypte
A stylistic revival inspired by Napoleon's Egyptian campaign (1798-1801), incorporating motifs such as sphinxes, obelisks, and lotus leaves. This design vocabulary appeared in furniture, textiles, and architecture during the Consulat and Empire periods.
Rocaille
An asymmetrical Rococo motif based on rock, shell, and scroll forms. Often found in carved decoration on furniture and mirrors during the Louis XV period.
Rococo
Evolving from Baroque in the early 18th century, Rococo style is lighter, more playful, and known for its refined details. French Rococo furniture often features shell motifs, delicate carvings, asymmetry, and an overall sense of elegance and charm.
Sunburst
A decorative motif consisting of radiating lines or rays, symbolic of the sun. Most famously associated with Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” and frequently incorporated into furniture, gates, and mirrors of the Baroque era.
Veneer
A thin layer of fine wood applied to the surface of a less expensive substrate. Used to create decorative effects or mimic more costly materials, veneer is a common feature of both high-end and provincial French furniture.
Decorative Motifs and Elements
Laurel Wreath
A classical motif featuring a circular or horseshoe arrangement of laurel leaves. Symbolising victory and authority, it was often used in Empire-style decoration and other neoclassical designs.
Palmette
A stylised palm leaf motif used in classical ornamentation. Typically found on friezes, chair rails, or furniture mounts, especially during the Empire period and other neoclassical phases.
Retour d’Égypte
A stylistic revival inspired by Napoleon's Egyptian campaign (1798-1801), incorporating motifs such as sphinxes, obelisks, and lotus leaves. This design vocabulary appeared in furniture, textiles, and architecture during the Consulat and Empire periods.
Rocaille
An asymmetrical Rococo motif based on rock, shell, and scroll forms. Often found in carved decoration on furniture and mirrors during the Louis XV period.
Sunburst
A decorative motif consisting of radiating lines or rays, symbolic of the sun. Most famously associated with Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” and frequently incorporated into furniture, gates, and mirrors of the Baroque era.
Furniture Forms You May Encounter
Armoire
A tall, usually two-door cupboard originally designed for storing clothing or household linens. Armoires are often fitted with internal shelves or drawers and were a staple in both urban and rural French interiors.
Bureau Plat
A flat, rectangular writing desk developed during the Régence and Louis XV periods. Typically features a leather writing surface, three drawers, and decorative bronze mounts. Unlike sloped or enclosed desks, it has an open, table-like structure.
Cabriole Leg
A curved furniture leg that bows outward at the knee and inward at the ankle, often ending in an ornamental foot. Widely used during the Louis XV period and a hallmark of Rococo design.
Chaise Longue
An elongated upholstered chair designed for reclining, with a backrest at one end. Popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, it combines the function of a chair and a daybed.
Coffer
A box used for storing valuables such as money, linens, or documents - often considered the predecessor to the commode. Typically simple and robust in construction, coffers were made for utility but are now prized for their age and patina.
Commode
In French furniture, a commode refers to a chest of drawers, not a lavatory as in English. The term emerged around 1700, referring to a cabinet designed to store personal items or “commodities.” These pieces are typically low and wide, often veneered and raised on legs. Marble tops became common on more formal commodes in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
Commode en Tombeau
A bombé-fronted chest of drawers, named for its resemblance to a sarcophagus or “tomb.” Distinguished by its rounded silhouette and often decorated with marquetry or ormolu mounts. Common during the Régence and early Louis XV periods.
Console Table
A shallow, decorative table typically placed against a wall. Often features elaborate carving, curved legs, or gilded details. Frequently paired with a mirror and used in entryways or formal rooms.
Escargot Foot
A foot design found at the base of cabriole legs, shaped in a tight spiral reminiscent of a snail shell. Common in Rococo and Louis XV furniture.
Fauteuil
A French open-armchair with an upholstered seat and back, often on carved wooden frames. Unlike sofas or bergères, fauteuils are lighter in appearance and were typically used in salon settings.
Pilaster
A decorative architectural element resembling a flattened column, often applied to the front or corners of cabinets and case furniture. Used to add symmetry and formality to neoclassical designs.
Tapered Leg
A straight leg that gradually narrows toward the base. Characteristic of Louis XVI and neoclassical styles, offering a refined, vertical profile often enhanced by fluting.
This page may evolve as we add more specialised terms or styles encountered in the collection. If a product listing includes a word or reference unfamiliar to you, feel free to reach out – we’re always happy to explain its significance or origin.