San Francisco Antiques - Urban Chateau - Our glossary of Antique Terminology

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| MAIN GLOSSARY | GLOSSARY OF wood |
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FAUTEUIL
The French designation for an Armchair: A form of an open- armed chair with upholstered seat and back with a beautifully carved frame.

FESTOON
A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points. Sculptured or painted architectural or interior ornament consisting of a garland of leaves, flowers, or fruit, or some combination of these, held by ribbons or folds and draped at the ends. When a festoon hangs down from only one end, it is called a drop, but when it hangs from both ends it is termed a swag. The festoon reproduces the actual garland used on Greek and Roman altars and was much used as a decorative feature in Roman and Renaissance art. It was often represented as carried by putti, or infant figures. Also extensively used during the Neo-classical period.

FINIAL
An ornamental terminating part, as on a post or piece of furniture. Projecting ornament which can take many forms including a ball, flame, flower acorn, pineapple or vase. They are often made of the predominant timber that is lathed, turned, or carved. Also a decorative element used on the covers of porcelain, silver and glass containers. In architecture, a sculptured ornament, often in the shape of a leaf or flower, at the top of a gable, pinnacle, or similar structure.

FIRING
Process of treating clay or other plastic ceramic materials with heat to produce a hard, durable but brittle material such as pottery. Primitive potters baked their clay in an open fire, but for firing at higher temperatures and for the use of glaze, a kiln is needed. In general, pottery is fired once to harden it into biscuit ware, then a glaze is applied and fused with the clay by a second firing. China painting, enamel work, and stained glass also require firing. Temperatures of firing vary from about 1,100?F (590?C) for fixing paint on glass to about 2,800?F (1,540?C) for producing hard porcelain.

FLAMBEAU
Decorative motif resembling a flaming torch.

FLAT-CHASING
A technique for the surface decoration of metal, resembling engraving, but produced with a hammer and punch and not involving the removal of metal.

FLUTING
Decoration formed by making parallel, semicircular grooves. Used on furniture since the 16th century.

FLUX
An alkaline substance, such as soda or potash, added to the batch to aid the fusion of the silica.

FRANCIS I (FRANCOIS)
King of France (1515-1547). Builder of the Chateaus of Blois, Chambord and Fontainebleau. In them the Renaissance had its greatest French expression. A mingling of flamboyant Gothic and Italian Renaissance ornament. Walnut and oak were the favored woods which were rich and profusely carved or inlaid.

FRENCH POLISH
Process of finishing wood with a high gloss by applying successive films of shellac and spirits.

FRET
A band of horizontal and vertical lines intersecting one another at right angles; the most common type is known as the meander or Greek key motif. Also lozenge marquetry patterns.

FRIEZE
Decorative or narrative composition in a horizontal band beneath the crown of a Building or on a piece of furniture.

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