Glossary of Art and Antique terms

• Tambour Desk: Rolltop desk with a cover made of tambours, a series of narrow slats of wood glued to a strong cloth. The tambour edges slide up and down in grooves along the edges of the desk frame.



• Tapestry: A decorative fabric image, like needlepoint effect, usually hung on cold castle walls for warmth and decor.



• Teak: A yellow tan to dark brown hardwood, so strong and durable that it is used for shipbuilding as well as furniture. Teakwood furniture designs commonly have clean, simple lines such as modern Scandinavian styles. Frequently finished by oiling, teakwood may show varied grains and is used as both solids and veneers.



• Tea Table: A smaller portable table, frequently used in place of coffee or end tables. Tea table tops often have raised edges resembling a tray and side pullouts for candles. A tilt top is popular with tripod foot tea tables.



• Tester: The wooden framework that supports a canopy or drapes at the top of a high post bed. ( canopy)



• Tight Seat: An upholstered furniture with springs, covered with layer of padding over which has the fabric pulled to cover directly.



• Tilt Top: A table with a hinged top that can stand vertically for storage and display when not in use.



• tint: A light value of a color (light blue) as opposed to a dark value or shade (dark blue).



• tone: The degree of light or dark in area line, or shape in terms of black to white; also called value ( light or dark blue, or light or dark gray).



• Torchiere: A floor lamp with a flared shade directing light upward.



• Transitional: Design that blends various style influences.



• Trestle Table: Long, narrow table supported with two T-shaped uprights joined together with a single stretcher; used in many country style designs.



• Trifid Foot: Three toe carved foot. (See Drake foot)



• triptych: A 3-panel painting with a center panel and two additional paintings connected on each vertical side.



• Trompe l'oeil: French term describing to "fool the eye" used in two-dimension designs to appear as a three-dimension object.



• Trumeau: A two-part mirror frame style with an ornamental panel is displayed above the glass mirror.



• Tulipwood: A species of deciduous poplar tree timber, usually a light color, yellow toned and deep purple or red stripes. Often used in 'hidden' furniture parts or prototype work.



• Turning: The shaping of wood lengths while spinning on a central axis, as on a lathe. Legs, trim, spindles and finials are common turned elements of furniture.



• Tuxedo: A style of square framed sofa or chair formed by equal heights of arm rests and the back.



• two-point linear perspective: A modern evolution of three-dimensional, one-point perspective, utilizing two or more vanishing points on the horizon line to create a more natural depiction of space in two-dimensional designs.

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