Antique Furniture Elements

It sounds more like something to wear for Easter, but the bonnet top is an interesting (and uniquely American) type of pediment in antique furniture. In 18th century America, chests and secretaries often wore a bonnet top. Learn what a bonnet top is, and how it differs from other pediments, in this illustrated glossary-style article.

A broken pediment is no cause for a broken heart - it's a common type of ornament atop case furniture. Learn what a broken pediment looks like, when it developed and its characteristics, with this illustrated article.

Much like that found on the bow of a ship, the caryatid found on antique furniture features a female form.

A pair of compass-seat chairs sold for $68,500 at a Sotheby's New York auction on Jan. 23, 2011. This glossary-style article defines the compass seat, a quintessential feature of American Queen Anne furniture.

This construction, which is both strong and decorative, is illustrated in this example.

Knowing what a finial is puts the finishing touch on your knowledge of antique furniture. You probably know what a finial is, without knowing its name -- it's on top of many a colonial chest, Victorian secretary or Shaker rocking chair. This glossary-style article defines the finial, and shows several examples.

You probably would recognize gadrooning, even if you don't know the name. This glossary-style article explains gadrooning, an ancient decorative technique that has given fillip to furniture and tableware for centuries. Gadrooning is illustrated in both silver and wood in this article.

Despite its clownish-sounding name, a galloon signified a serious bit of decoration. This glossary-style article succintly defines the galloon.

This furniture element is often found in chairs, and not only helps connect the legs but also reinforces them.

Has that table been japanned? Discover the art of japanned furniture that flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. This article describes how japanned furniture developed and gives several unique examples of these East-meets-West pieces.

Let us introduce you to the lattice pediment, a frilly sort of ornamentation that decorated many an 18th-century bookcase, secretary or cabinet. In this glossary-style article, you'll learn what a lattice pediment looks like, and which famous designers used it in furniture.

This decorative treatment applied to on antique furniture can employ elements such as wood, ivory or shell.

This decorative element used on antique furniture and decorative arts is made of metal and designed to emulate gold.

This triangular decorative treatment applied to antique furniture can be very ornate.

This glossary-style article defines pietra dura, an Italian technique. The Italian decorative technique of pietra dura means hard stone, but is very easy on the eyes.

Those tiny, flat columns decorating furniture are called pilasters. Learn all about the pilaster -- where it originated, and its different forms -- in this illustrated glossary-style article.

Ever wonder about that prospect door - that little door surrounded by drawers in the center of a desk? This illustrated, glossary-style article identifies the prospect door - a familiar feature in many a cubbyholed desk.

Scroll on down to discover what a scroll pediment is. That familiar arched top of a colonial chest or bookcase or secretary, the scroll pediment was highly popular throughout the 18th century. This glossary-style article offers several examples of scroll pediments on antique furniture, and explains how to identify one.

Can you recognize a serpentine stretcher? A serpentine stretcher is among the most ornate of crossbars used to reinforce furniture. This glossary-style article defines a serpentine stretcher, shows examples, and identifies the furniture styles that used it the most.

This common chair element serves a very useful purpose, but can also be very decorative.

What exactly does tambour refer to, and how does it work? Learn about tambour doors and covers in this glossary-style article. This article describes the tambour, an ingenious element of furniture invented in the 18th-century that's still used today. See examples of tambours and learn what type of furniture they're most often associated with.

Test your knowledge of antique decorative techniques by identifying tesserae. This glossary-style article defines tesserae, the elements of the ancient art of mosaic making, with examples in jewelry and furniture.

Vernis martin was one of the better European imitations of Asian lacquer. This article defines the vernis martin technique, providing several illustrations.

This important element is used to connect and reinforce furniture legs, and it can be decorative as well.

This furniture element is used extensively in chair manufacture, especially in period styles.