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.

Maple

A hardwood used for furniture-making and flooring, characterized by a close, light brown grain. Its grain pattern can vary based on variety. Though often straight, it can sometimes include small knots (in the case of birdseye maple) or flame shapes. Some varieties of maple are used to craft fine wooden instruments such as violins and cellos.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a straight grained hard wood with silky texture, ranging in color from dark brown to red. Furniture made from mahogany became popular in Britain from Mid-18th Century on, spreading throughout Europe.

Pediment

An architectural feature that has a triangular ornament placed on top of a structure such as a a portico, doorway, window or used as a decorative element in furniture. There are many variations on the pediment some have segmental, scroll, and broken forms.