Victorian

Period in English furniture during the reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901. Consists of a resurrection of many previous periods and revival imitations including: Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, Rococo, and Neoclassic style. This period had a focus on dark woods, heavy fabrics, embellishment, engagement with newly developed imitation materials that were facilitated by the Industrial Revolution, and a tendency towards eclecticism.

Louis XVI

King Louis-Auguste reigned in France between 1774 to 1793. The Louis XVI style was a return to classicism looking to Greek and Roman culture for inspiration. Characteristics of this style were architectural ornamentation, classic symmetry, geometric marquetry,decorative escutcheons, small mechanized elements, and the predominant use of mahogany with linear gilt bronze mounts that emphasized veneers. Decorative motifs such as garland swags, horns of plenty, vasiform shapes, olive leaves, and cone finials were common and often referencing historical styles.

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.

Marquetry

A flush pattern produced by inserting contrasting materials in a veneered surface. Rare, grained, and colored woods are usually used, but thin layers of tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and metals are also seen. If the pattern is of a geometric nature, it is called parquetry.

Ormolu

French gilding technique of applying finely ground gold with a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze. High heat is applied in a kiln burning off the mercury and leaving behind the gold affixed to the bronze and is finished by hand-chasing. Also known as gilt-bronze or bronze doré. Often used to refer to bronze furniture mounts enhanced by gilding.