Inlay

Form of decoration which involves cutting small pieces of ivory, precious metals, mother-of-pearl, or wood which are then fitted into carved-out recesses of the same shape on a solid piece of furniture to create a picture or geometric design. Differs from marquetry which uses applied veneers.

Apron

A structural support placed at right angles to the underside of a shelf, chair seat, or table top to provide additional weight bearing strength and often decorative flourishes.

Stretcher

A stretchers is a stabilizing support rail which runs horizontally between furniture legs. These often form X, H, or Y shapes in conjunction with the outside rails.

Oak

A dense hardwood valued in furniture making for its durability and strength. It varies in shade depending on variety and can range from a lighter wood (white oak) to a deep reddish brown (red oak). It became popular during the Tudor period in England and remains a popular wood variety.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a hard, non-porous pottery. Porcelain is white, has a fine-grained body and usually translucent. Porcelain differs from earthenware in that earthenware is porous, opaque and coarse. True porcelain is made of kaolin or china clay.