Glossary of Terms,
Antique Furniture
E
Early American: Furniture of Early American, reflecting many European influences, but chiefly English. Name also applied to current interpretations of American Colonial design.
Easy Chair: Less frequently-used term for lounge chair.
Eclecticism: In design, the free or rigid adaptation and/or combination of forms and decorations from various countries and periods.
Egg-And-Dart: An ornamented molding in which an egg shape alternates with a dart. Also referred to as egg-and-anchor or egg-and-tongue.
Empire(French 1804-1815): Napoleonic style based on classic Greek, Roman, and Egyptian forms; simple in line, rich in the use of materials.
Enamel: A paint used as overglaze, made of finely ground pigments and varnish. A hard, glossy wood finish is achieved through brushing and rubbing.
End Table: A small table used at the end of a sofa.
Endive: A carved leaf motif.
English Regency: The English version of the French Empire, this period (1793-1830) reflected the general European interest in antiquity and return to classic forms, rich ornamentation. Furniture was small-scaled, well-proportioned; combining curves and straight lines.
Entasis: Slight swelling of a column at the middle designed to overcome the optical illusion of hollowness that appears in a perfecting straight column.
Escutcheon: A fitting over a keyhole or the back plate of a handle. They are usually of metal, but sometimes ivory, bone, or inlaid veneers.
Etagere: Whatnot; a series of shelves supported by columns, used to display curios.
Evolute: Recurrent wave scroll used to decorate friezes and bands. Opposite direction of involute.
