Glossary of Art and Antique terms

• underpainting: A base layer of color or tone, usually a thin translucent painted layer, used to establish the general layout of a painting or object's finish.



• Upholstery: Fabric covering of chairs and sofas, usually over padding and a wood framed construction.



• Uprights: Vertical outer chair posts.

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



• Varnish: A hard, clear finish for wood.



• Veneer: Thin-cut layer of beautiful grain patterned, fine quality, wood inlay, permanently bonded to an object for enrichment of strength, pattern and finish (See also inlay, marquetry, and parquetry).



• Victorian: Furniture style named for England's Queen Victoria (reigned 1837 - 1901) that was popular thru the middle and end of the 19th century. Furniture was usually dark finished in rosewood, mahogany and walnut. Victorian styles often elaborated on rococo and Louis XV styles with complicated curvilinear designs and luxuriant upholstery. Characteristics include carved floral motifs, oval chair backs, horsehair padding, and marble topped dressers and tables.



• Vitrine: China or curio Cabinet display with a glass door front (sometimes glass top and sides also ).



• volumetric: A three-dimensional, solid quality of objects and space in two dimension images.



• Volute: A spiral, scrolled, coil ornamentation, usually a carved.

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