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

Cabinet Furniture
Seating Furniture
Tables
Mirrors, Brackets & Frames
Other Furniture
Lighting
Architectural Elements
Fine Arts
Objets D'Art
Decoration
Textiles
STILL AVAILABLE

| MAIN GLOSSARY | GLOSSARY OF wood |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

GADROONING
On furniture, a relief pattern developed from reeding consisting of a series of parallel, convex lobes and ornamental beading. On silver, a band of identical rounded convex forms displayed vertically or at an angle.

GARGOYLE
Grotesque figure originally used in Gothic architecture to frighten away evil spirits and as a decorative spout. Best know in the Gothic examples; it was adapted for ornamentation in some Medieval and Renaissance woodwork.

GATE-LEG TABLE
A table whose sections are supported by jointed gates which swing out from a central section.

GESSO
A compound consisting of powdered gypsum, marble dust or chalk and rabbit-skin sizing, used on wood furniture to provide a smooth surface for gilding or delicate carving.

GILDING
Ornamental coating of gold leaf over a substrata.

GIRANDOLE
Elaborate candelabrum with crystal pendants from the Rococo and Neoclassical Periods. In Britain, an elaborate wall bracket with mirrored back plates. (18th century).

GLAZE
A vitreous coating fixed to ceramic by firing.

GOBELIN
French family of dyers established in the 15th century. Established as master makers of tapestries in 1529. Created some of the most important Tapestries. Also, a maker of upholstery fabrics in the Louis XVI period, in 1826 they added the manufacturing of carpets.

GOTHIC PERIOD (1100-1500)
French style taking significant influence from the Medieval church architecture. Characterized by segmented arches (pointed), flying buttresses, open tracery and vertical grandiose emphasis.

GOTICO PERIOD (1200-1450)
The pre-Renaissance Italian periods of Medieval architecture and style. (See Gothic above.)

GRIFFIN
In ancient and medieval legend, a creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Its name also appears as griffon and gryphon. The griffin originated in ancient Middle Eastern legend and is often found in Persian sculpture and the decorative arts. Although its significance is obscure, it is often thought to have been a protective symbol, representing strength and vigilance. Occurs as a decorative motif in architecture and furniture during the Italian Renaissance and beyond.

GRISAILLE
A monochrome painting and drawing technique executed in tones of black, gray and white, which attempts to imitate marble relief ornament on trompe l?oeil panels. Such works were often produced in the Renaissance to simulate sculpture, as in Uccello's equestrian portrait of Sir John Hawkswood (Cathedral of Florence). In the 17th century grisaille was prized for interior decoration.

GROS POINT
French coarse stitch embroidery used for upholstering chairs.

GROTESQUE
An ornamental composition of classical derivation combining rinceaux, fantastic animals, and distorted human figures; named after similar wall paintings in the grottos of Nero?s Golden House in Rome. A style of painting, sculpture, and ornamentation in which natural forms and monstrous figures are intertwined in bizarre or fanciful combinations.

GUERIDON
Round table raised on a single centered support.

GUILLOCHE
Classical decorative motif forming a continuous intersecting scrolling pattern often accompanied with rosette details.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z