A GREAT many foreign and unusual terms frequently occur in catalogues, and also in other printed and written descriptions of Art furniture. Some of these are Anglicized words; others are those which, although familiar to experts and connoisseurs, are quite puzzling to the general reader, because they have a meaning as applied to Art and to furniture which is quite different from their ordinary dictionary definition.

The writer has been so frequently asked to explain what is meant by such terms as a "cartel" clock, a "bergere," a "gueridon," or a "tambour front," that he has thought a useful purpose would be served by giving a short glossary in alphabetical order of some of these terms.

The descriptions are in many cases quoted from the "Stanford Dictionary of Anglicized Words," edited by Mr. Fennell, Fairholt's "Dictionary of Terms in Art," and other similar useful works of reference, but it is singular that in so many instances there is no such meaning as an art expert would employ, to be found in our best and most modern dictionaries. In these cases the writer is responsible for such explanations as have been learned by experience.

There are some other subjects connected with the buying and selling of old furniture, including a description of the notorious "knocking out" system, which may be conveniently noticed under this heading of "Notes and Explanations," and therefore they have been added to the glossary.

Amorini (It.)

An Italian term for cupids, frequently used in descriptions of French furniture the panels of which are of Vernis Martin (q.v.), and painted with groups of cupids, or of English satin-wood painted furniture, similarly decorated.

Armoire (Fr.)

A large wardrobe or movable cupboard, with doors and shelves, especially one which is inclosed or shut in with doors from base to cornice, and is simple and roomy in design. In the Jones bequest in the Victoria and Albert Museum of South Kensington, there is a fine Boulle armoire. A pair, somewhat similar, in the famous Hamilton Palace sale in 1882 realized £12,075; but plain oak armoires may be purchased for quite small sums. The carved oak armoires of Normandy are well known to collectors. The word comes from Ambry, a church cupboard.

Astragal (Eng. Fr. Lat.)

A small moulding, plain or carved, round the top and bottom of columns, or between the main portions of the architrave.

In cabinet work this term is generally used to describe the small moulding running from top to bottom of one of a pair of doors, overlapping one door, and so making a finish and excluding the dust.

Baldachino (Ital.)

A tent-like covering of wood, stone, or metal, originally signifying a piece of furniture to cover sacred things, or the seats of kings and distinguished persons, but the term has lately had a much more extended use.

Baroque (Fr.)

A term used to describe ornamental designs of a florid and incongruous character, produced for the sake of lavish effect, and indicative of a taste for display rather than for true and appropriate decoration. See Rococo.

Bergere

See Chaise bergere.

Boulle, Boule, Or Buhl

A special kind of marqueterie composed of tortoiseshell and brass, invented by Andre Charles Boulle during the reign of Louis XIV, and applied to the cabinet work of the time. A full description of this will be found in Chapter 111.

Break-Front

This term is frequently found in sale catalogues, and means that the bookcase, cabinet, or wardrobe has the long straight line of its frontage interrupted or broken by the centre compartment being slightly in advance, or slightly in recess, of the two sides. For instance, a bookcase eight feet wide would probably have four doors, the two end ones inclosing compartments, which would be two inches less in depth than the centre compartment inclosed by the other two doors.

Buffet (Fr )

A sideboard used for the display of plate. The old Gothic buffet was so disposed that the panels of the upper part concealed drawers which might hold napkins or small articles of plate.

Bureau (Fr.) Pl. Bureaux Or Bureaus

A chest of drawers fitted with a writing board.

Cabriole (Fr.)

Literally a curvet, leap or caper, and therefore applied to that which is fantastically curved. Both Chippendale and Heppelwhite speak of "cabriole" chairs. The word is used now to designate the kind of leg of chair or table which is of scroll form, sometimes carved on knee and toe, or ending in claw-and-ball foot, or it may be without carving.

Carlton Table

A writing table designed by-Sheraton, and probably so named out of compliment to the Prince of Wales. It is straight in front, but the back is rounded, making thus a D-shaped top. The rounded or back part was raised some seven or eight inches above the flat, and fitted with receptacles for letters, ink bottles, pen trays, and other requisites. These tables were made in mahogany and satinwood, inlaid with mar-queterie.

Cartel Clock

The word "cartel," as applied to a clock of a decorative character, has a meaning which is quite familiar to dealers and collectors, but quite different from its dictionary definition. It is used to denote a rather flat-shaped clock which hangs in a panel without a bracket. Cartel clocks are generally of Louis XV or Louis XVI design, and they were made and used in France, England, Germany, and Holland.

Caryatides (Gr.)

Carved female figures used to support the entablature and other parts of ancient buildings, and found also in woodwork and furniture of an architectural character.

Certosina (Fr.)

See Intarsia work.

Chaise Bergere, Or Spoken Of Simply As Bergere

Literally shepherdess. An easy chair, but technically understood to mean an easy chair the arms of which are padded or upholstered solid, instead of being open as are those of a fauteuil (q. v.). The word bergere occurs in Maria Edge worth and in Lady Blessington's "Idler in France."