Huygens

A Dutchman living in the seventeenth century, who was the first successful inventor in Europe of a preparation in imitation of Oriental lacquer. See Martin.

Imitations

See Reproductions.

Incarnadine

A word certainly used in England in the seventeenth century, and perhaps before, to describe shades of colour from a light crimson to a pale pink or flesh colour.

Ince, W., And Mayhew, J

Designers of furniture, cabinet-makers, and upholsterers, in partnership under the name of Ince and Mayhew, in Broad Street, Golden Square, London. They were contemporary with Chippendale, and are usually referred to as of his school. In 1762-1763 they issued a book of designs, "The Universal System of Household Furniture." The firm was in existence until about 1812.

Incised Work

Carved or sunk work cut or engraved below the surface.

Indian Mask

A mask representing the features of an Indian chief crowned with feathers often carved on the knees of table legs, etc., in the Satyr Mask period (1730-1740).

Inlay

A method of forming a design on the surface of woodwork, by cutting cavities in the wood and filling them with other wood of contrasting colour, or with such materials as metal, ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, etc. The art was known in early Egypt. It was practised in rude fashion in England up to Tudor times, when considerable advance was made. Late in the seventeenth century inlaying became merged in marquetry, a process which combines inlay and veneering. This art was very popular until the beginning of the eighteenth century, when it lost favour, but was revived by Hepplewhite and Sheraton. See Marquetry.

Intarsia Or Tarsia (Italian, Intarsiatura, Tarsia, Inlaid Work)

Incised work into which an inlay is put - a kind of mosaic. It was practised very successfully by the Italians from the early Renaissance period, and ivory or bone was much used for the inlay.

Interlaced Chair Backs

Interlaced strap or ribbon-back chairs were first made in England in early Georgian times - for example, in the three interlacing ovals backs, later in Chippendale's interlaced ribbon-backs in the French taste, and in Hepplewhite's interlaced heart-shaped backs.

Inverted Cup

A detail of the turning of baluster-shaped legs of the William and Mary period having the appearance of an inverted cup.

Irish Furniture

A heavy type of furniture often elaborately carved which combined native characteristic features with English types of a few years previous to it. After Chippendale issued his "Director" in 1754, Irish was designed on practically the same lines as English furniture. The term Irish Chippendale has sometimes been applied to Irish furniture of about the middle of the eighteenth century.

Ivory

The tusk of the elephant, hippopotamus, walrus, etc., of which elephant ivory is the finest. It has been in decorative use from a very early date, and was extensively employed as an inlay upon furniture in the great marquetry periods.

Jacobean

A general term used by some writers to cover the period from 1603 to 1649, and by others from 1603 to 1688. This term is further discussed under "Period."