Glossary of Art and Antique terms

• Damask: Fabric (linen, cotton, silk or wool) with a reversible figured pattern woven into it, used for draperies and upholstered furniture.



• Daybed: Any elongated seating piece designed for resting that can also function as a bed. Daybeds usually have a raised end. ex. chaise longue



• Deciduous trees: Shed or lose foliage at the end of a growing season period; not evergreen.



• Dentil Molding: Decorative moldings rectangular, tooth-like blocks (Dentils) and spaces of equal intervals along a cornice molding at the top of furniture. Found in 18th century architecture and design.



• diptych: Two separate paintings attached and displayed as one artwork.



• Directoire: Style of French Revolution era furniture designs that spanned the end of the French Revolution and Napoleon's conquest in 1799, bridging the Louis XVI and Empire styles. Named for the Directory government replacing Louis XVI that called for designs of less ostentation and a smaller scale while eliminating regal references.



• Distressed: Furniture that is marred to simulate the aged look and use of an antique.



• Douglas Fir: Light, strong conifer wood primarily used as drawer bottoms and linings.



• Dowel: A wooden pin used in constructing and repairing furniture.



• Down: Use of feathers to fill cushions of upholstery, trapping air to provide warmth and comfort. The Eider duck's soft fine down is highly valued.



• Drake Foot: Three toe carved foot or"Trifid Foot".



• Dresser: Chest-of-drawers for clothes storage.



• Drop Front: Hinged slant front of an upright desk cover that drops down to provide a level writing surface. (see Slant front Desk)



• Drop Leaf: An occasional or dining table with leave panels that are hinged and can be lowered when not in use.



• Dustboard (Dustpanel): A panel lining between drawers in a dresser or chest as a barrier to dust and loss of contents.



• Duncan Phyfe: A popular furniture style in the American Federal period (1783 to mid-19th century), characterized by lyre-shaped motifs and graceful outward curved feet on tables and sofas. Seats often have lyre-back designs, rolled top arms and rails.



• Dutch Foot: A style of disk or pad foot used on the turned or cabriole legs of chairs.

For more information or to purchase, Contact Us.