Rising-Stretchers

Saltire or X-shape stretchers which curve upwards towards the intersection. A single stretcher curved upwards is generally called an arched or hooped stretcher.

Rocaille

See Rococo.

Rococo (From French Roc, Rock; Coquille, Shell)

A fantastic kind of ornament of the time of Louis XV., characterized by scrolls, shell work and rocky background. Of Italian origin, the style was introduced into France late in the Regency period by Meissonier, flourished for many years, and had a considerable vogue in England during the Chippendale period. The word is sometimes applied contemptuously in decorative art, and the terms "Baroque" and " Rocaille" are often used in its place.

Roll-Over Arms

A term used to describe the arms of a chair when the padded upholstery starts from the side seat-rails, and is thrown over the arms in a bold scroll, sometimes entirely hiding the wooden arms, and forming with the back an enclosed seat with soft elbow supports. They were of French origin, and made in England in the Restoration period.

Roll-Top Desk

See Pull-down Front.

Romayne Work

The name given in the sixteenth century to a conventionalized form of Italian decoration. Its most characteristic feature consisted of carved heads within medallions.

David Rontgen (1743-1807)

One of the great ebonists of the eighteenth century. He was born at Herrenhag, near Neuwied, and, although he was received into the Corporation of Cabinet Makers of Paris in 1780, most of his furniture was made in his works at Neuwied, where he never ceased to reside. Like Riesener he produced some of the finest marquetry for the French and European Courts, and was a distinguished adept in mechanical devices. He is also known under the name of David - his firm was David Kintzing - and has sometimes been called David of Luneville. He is mentioned by Goethe in Wilhelm Meister.

Rosette

An ornament or patera frequently used in architectural decoration. It appears in many forms on furniture from Tudor times onwards. Adam made much use of rosettes in round, oval, and other forms, and he, Hepplewhite, and others of that time made a characteristic use of them to ornament panels the mouldings of which were broken at the corners to make spaces for them.

Rosewood

A Brazilian wood, with a faint smell of roses when freshly cut, in various shades from a very deep brown, almost black, to something like a mahogany colour. It was used in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, especially for marquetry and banding. Much "English Empire" furniture was of rosewood.

Roundel

Anything of round-like form; a patera, medallion, or plaque. For example, in Tudor times, before the general use of porcelain, wooden roundels elegantly painted with flowers, verses, etc., on the under side, were used as trenchers or platters for fruit, sweets, etc.

Rudd's Dressing-Table

Described in Hepplewhite's "Guide" as "the most complete dressing-table made, possessing every convenience which can be wanted, or mechanism and ingenuity supply."