Gallery

A miniature balustrade, parapet, or railing of wood or metal, forming a protective rim round the edge of a table, cabinet, shelf, etc. The metal rods and supports at the back of sideboards of the latter part of the eighteenth century are often called galleries.

Galloon (Fr. Galon)

A thick ribbon or braid of gold, silver, wool or other material, used as an ornamental edging to curtains or other articles, and to finish off upholstery work such as the rough edges of a chair-covering round the seat rail. It was used in the early eighteenth century.

Games Table

A small table in vogue in the eighteenth century. Sometimes the top was reversible with an inlaid chessboard on one side and, the top being removed altogether, a backgammon board was disclosed below. Backgammon was very fashionable during that century and large sums of money were won or lost in playing it. Both chess and backgammon were invented before the Christian era.

Garde Du Vin

A name used by Hepplewhite to describe the brass-hooped tub, cellaret, or wine-cooler made to stand under the sideboard. See Sarcophagus.

Gate-Leg Table

A table provided with drop leaves at each end, supported by single or double wing-legs or gates. The leaves are usually round or oval ended. They were introduced about the middle of the seventeenth century, and were in high favour until the time of Queen Anne, when a cabriole leg attached to a swing bracket above to a large extent superseded the gate-leg support of the table leaf. Later on the leg itself, in smaller tables, was dispensed with, and the bracket was the only support, as in the case of the Pembroke table of Sheraton's time.

"Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers' Director, The."

- The renowned folio volume by Thomas Chippendale, containing introductory matter and 160 pages of engraved designs, published by subscription in 1754 at the price of £2 8s., with further editions in 1759 at £3 3s., and 1762 at £3 13s. 6d.

Gentlemen's Social Table

A name sometimes given to the wine table so popular in the later half of the eighteenth century. See Wine-Table.

Gesso (Ital. Plaster, Chalk)

A composition made of chalk and other materials, which can easily be moulded or carved into designs for interior decorations and then painted or gilt. It was used by the Italians in the fifteenth century and the "Compo" used in connection with the gilt furniture of the early years of the eighteenth century in England, and its revived use by the brothers Adam was, practically speaking, a gesso.

Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721)

England's most distinguished carver of decorative woodwork was born at Rotterdam of English parents. He became closely associated with Sir Christopher Wren and was master-carver to four sovereigns. He founded a school of carving which was well patronized until his death.

James Gibbs (1674-1754)

A noted Scottish architect, among whose principal works are the Church of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, opposite the National Gallery, the Radcliffe Library, Oxford, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He is usually included in the list of architect-designers of furniture of the first half of the eighteenth century.