FURNITURE GLOSSARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 391, 27 June 1928, Page 6

FURNITURE GLOSSARY

WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT PIECE? FOURTH SERIES FINIAL.—Name given to the decorative motif terminating an upright; as the carved and gilded acanthus leaf finials so often found on the backs of Italian Renaissance chairs or the turned vase shaped decorations on the tops of Georgian cabinets. FLARE. —The outward curve or bend somewhat on the order of a sleigh found in some designs. The daybeds of the Directoire Period were often made with a flared headboard and footboard. GALLERY. —A raised or fretted rim either of wood or metal used on table tops. A feature which found great favour in France during Madame la Pompadour’s time when tables with marble tops and bronze galleries were most fashionable, an effort was even made to name them after her. Chippendale was fond of iising pierced or fretted galleries on his small tables, some of them being most elaborate. Galleries of metal bars or rails are found on the backs of sideboards of Sheraton design. They served as a support for the family plate and also for candelabra. GIRANDOLE. —From the Italian “Girandola." a sort of fire-work shaped like a wheel. Candelabra with arms, often ornamented with pendeloques of crystal, which when illuminated form a circle or cone of lights, became most fashionable toward the second half of the 17th Century. They were sometimes attached to mirrors. GUERIDON. Pedestal with circular base and top used as candelabra or girandole stands. Popular in the 17th Century when they often assumed the design of Moorish figures supporting a tray. The word is used in France to-day to designate any very small occasional table. GONDOLA CHAIR. Comfortable armchair with either upholstered or caned back and seat and rounded back, whence came its name. Often designed with legs in the centre of the front and back similar to our corner chair.

HIGHBOY.—A chest of drawers ! mounted oil a stand with five or six legs, the upper part usually four j drawers in height. First made in England during William and Mary's reign and introduced into America where it became very popular. This piece of furniture varied from 4 feet \ to 6 feet in height or even more. The table-like stand was often made with a deep drawer on either side and a shallow one in the centre. One associates this friendly piece of furniture with every illustration of a Colonial interior. A sheet of brown paper cut to size should be inserted under a rug placed on a carpet. The dust percolating through the rug will then be caught on the paper, which may from time to time bo replaced. This prevents the soiled look on the carpet under a rug which will not allow the rug to be removed. If when taking a bedstead to pieces the sides are obstinate, do not knock with a hammer. Instead, drop a little oil around the ends, and the sides will slip out quite easily.