Ornament applied to or cut into the piece of furniture for decorative or aesthetic reasons. Decorative elements include wood, stone, or metal applied to surfaces as inlay, marquetry, or veneer. See surface finish for coatings applied as liquids or pastes, such as paint.

 

Carving

Three-dimensional surface or structure created by cutting material out of a solid such as wood or stone using a tool such as a chisel. In furniture, carving may be done on the structural components of the piece or made separately and applied to the piece. See moldings for continuous, linear cut ornament. See also turning.		    

Marquetry

Small pieces of wood or other material set into or applied to an entire surface to form a geometric or figural pattern. See also inlay.

    
           

Engraving

Marks or characters cut into a metal surface, such as a clock face. In contrast to carving, engraving does not remove material.

    

Moldings

Continuous, linear ornament with a decorative cut profile. Moldings may be cut directly into the surface of an object or applied. Frequently used as decorative elements around the top or base of a piece of case furniture.		    
           

Finials

Shaped ornaments applied to and extending upward from points along the top edge of a piece, such as at the front corners or center of an arch. Finials may be attached directly to the top of a piece or mounted on a plinth, a small cube of wood that serves as a base. Finials may be made of wood or metal; brass finials are commonly found on tall case clocks.		    

Pediments

An arched, ogee, or triangular projection from the top of a piece of furniture, usually flush with the front plane of the piece. Pediments may extend the depth of the object or be applied only along the front edge. The profile of a pediment can be characterized by its overall shape and whether it extends across the entire width of the piece of furniture. Pediments may have lavish ornamentation, including carving, moldings, and finials. Pediments are frequently mounted on a cornice, or series of horizontal moldings around the top edges of a piece of case furniture.		    
           

Galleries

Narrow, raised structures of wood or metal that extend vertically around the top edge of a piece to form a decorative border. Galleries may be applied to the front; front and sides; or front, sides, and back edges of an object's top surface. Galleries are frequently cut or pierced with geometric patterns.		    

Turning

Three-dimensional surface or structure created by cutting material out of a solid such as wood or stone as it rotates on a lathe. In furniture, turned pieces may be used as structural components or decoration. See also carving.

    
           

Inlay

One type or finish of wood set into or adjacent to a contrasting wood. Inlay patterns may be geometric or figural, depicting stylized motifs such as flowers, shells, and fans. See also marquetry and veneer.		    

Veneer

Thinly cut pieces of wood or other material applied to large, flat surfaces of another type of wood. Veneers are usually cut from expensive or highly decorative woods and applied to woods that are cheaper or less decorative. See inlay for the application of contrasting materials to small sections of a surface.