Furniture Terms: Mini Dictionary, Part 1
CANOPY: a covering or ceiling positioned above a large bed. A canopy also refers to a four-poster bed structure.
LINEN CABINET: a large table-like cabinet with a sideboard or drawers beneath the top and open shelves for storing table linen.
BERGERE: a French upholstered armchair produced from the 1720s. In the 19th century, the term described upholstered armchairs with deep seats, separate cushions and padded armrests connected to the back frame.
SCONCE: a wall light with a backplate and a candle holder.
SIDEBOARD: a serving table with two or more tiers. A dish cabinet began to perform the same function in the 18th century.
DISPLAY CABINET: a glass cabinet for displaying objects.
GUERIDON: a candle stand or a small table for a candlestick or lamp.
DAVENPORT: a small writing desk with a hinged top, often with drawers positioned on both sides.
DAY DESK: a lady's writing desk with shelves and compartments that appeared in the 1760s.
HEADBOARD : the element positioned behind your head when you lie in bed. A headboard may consist of a panel, a wooden back or a padded bolster.
FOOTBOARD: the lower, foot end of a bed. The footboard marks the part of the bed where the feet rest.
SECRETARY CABINET: a storage sideboard with drawers and shelves, often richly decorated.
CARVER: a dining chair with armrests, often called a drawing-room chair.
CARTONNIER: an 18th-century French cabinet, usually made as part of a set with a hinged-top desk or produced separately.
CASSONE : an Italian chest with carved, gilded and inlaid decoration.
KLISMOS: a classical Greek chair with sabre legs. The front legs curve forward, while the back legs curve backwards.
COMMODE: a French term for a chest of drawers, often richly decorated with veneer and metal mounts. Victorian England also used the term for a bedside cabinet storing washing accessories.
CREDENZA: a cabinet with doors, often with drawers above.
WINGBACK ARMCHAIR: an upholstered armchair with a high back and projecting wings on each side.