Renaissance

The Renaissance is considered the revival interest in classical design, beginning in Italy during the 14th century and continuing to spread throughout Europe until the 17th century. Renaissance furniture design is simple in structure with a generous use of classical ornament, such as the acanthus leaf, animal forms, and pilasters. Renaissance furniture typically has moderate ornamentation and decoration consists mostly of wood carvings. Renaissance furniture is usually dark in color and common materials consist of walnut and chestnut. The canopy bed and marriage chest are two popular pieces of furniture produced during the Renaissance style.

Filigree

Primarily refers to fine, ornate metalwork (mainly in gold, silver, or copper), that is intricately patterned and used as ornamentation or embellishment, particularly in fine jewelry making. More broadly, the term can refer to any ornamental openwork that is delicate or fine that resembles a metal filigree in its pattern, but in other mediums.

Putti

Cherub-like figures used commonly in Italian Baroque painting and design. Putti are often depicted as nude infant boys, sometimes with wings. Though similar to cherubs, they are not interchangeable, putti being a more secular version of the biblical cherubim.