MATERIALS OF

DESIGN AND DECORATION

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
WINDOW TREATMENT
APRON
• Wood facing below the
sill on windows
A LA DUCHESSE
• Type of bed with a
canopy suspended from
the ceiling rather than
supported by posts
BALDACHINO
• A canopy resting on
columns usually built
over an altar
BANDING
• Strips of coordination or
contrasting fabric,
folded and finished,
then affixed to the style
as a decorative accent
• Used to frame or border
a piece of work to add
interest to the finished
work
BIAS
• A line or cut across a
fabric that is not at right
angles to a side of the
fabric
BIAS BINDING
• Strips of fabric cut on
the bias
BLEED THROUGH
• This happens when two
fabrics are used in
layers and the darker
color of the bottom one
“bleeds through” to the
top one in the light and
spoils the color and
pattern of the top one
BLIND STITCH
• A stitch that is
frequently used for
attaching applique
pieces or binding
• Stitches are sewn so
they are hidden under
the top
CANOPY
• A draped covering
suspended over a piece
of furniture, as over a
bed or a seat of honor
CASED HEADING
• Also called SLOT
HEADING
• Curtain heading
consisting of a simple
hemmed top through
which a rod or a narrow
pole could be slotted
CEILING-MOUNTED TRACK
• This track is mounted to
the ceiling rather than
the wall
• Useful when you have a
window that goes right
up to the ceiling or a
wide sill that protrudes
that you want to avoid
COMBINATION RODS
• Two or three drapery
rods sharing one set of
brackets
• Used when installing
draperies with sheers or
to create any layered
look
CONTRAST LINING
• A colored fabric used as
a lining when parts of it
will show from the front
CENTER DRAW
• A pair which open and
close from the center of
the windows
CLEARANCE
• The necessary distance
between the wall and
the back of the rod or
treatment, and/or the
front of one layer of the
window treatment and
the back of the rod or
treatment
• Different products and
treatments require
different clearances
CRINOLINE
• Stiffening material
similar to buckram used
in drapery headings
CURTAIN WIRE
• Coiled wire with a
plastic coating
• Slightly expandable and
is fixed by eyelets
screwed into the wire at
each end, which are
fixed to the hook
• Used for lightweight
fabrics, sheers, and nets
that only have a short
span to cover and do
not need to be drawn
DETACHABLE LININGS
• These hang by a special
heading tape from the
same hooks as the
curtain but they are not
actually stitched to the
curtain fabric
DOUBLE TRACKS
• Useful for when you
want to use two sets of
curtains, or a pelmet
and a curtain
DRAPERY PANEL
• One complete section
of drapery typically
used for patio door
applications or as
decorative stationary
side panels that hang
on each side of the
window and do not
meet in the center
DROP LENGTH
• The distance from the
top of the object to
where you want the
fabric to end
DUST CAP
• The wood board at the
top of top treatments,
cornices or valances
• Purpose is to prevent
dust from settling on
the under treatment
ENVELOPE CURTAINS
• Casual curtains that do
not pull back
• Bottom inside corners
are hooked back to let
the light in
EXTENDABLE TRACK
• By far the most common
track
• Purchased in standard
sizes with a range that
they can be extended to
• Ideal as you can alter
them to suit different
window widths without
having to cut them, and it
leaves room for human
error, which often occurs
when measuring curtains
FAN CURTAIN
• Similar to the fan shade
but used on half circle
windows with the fan
facing up
FAN FOLDED
• Vertical fold of
accordion action of the
fabric that creates fold
and helps hold the
drapery to the form
intended for pinch
pleats
FAN SHADES
• Arcs of fabric that are
pulled together in the
center by rings and
cords and then fastened
to the back of the
shades with the arc, or
fan, facing down
FACE FABRIC
• Main fabric that faces
the interior of the room
• “Good” side of the
fabric
FINISHED WIDTH
• Actual width after the
treatment is finished
and all allowances have
been utilized
FINISHED DROP LINE
• Place where the curtain
stops
FINISHED LENGTH
• Exact vertical
measurement for
draperies or curtains
FLEXIBLE TRACK
• Ideal for bay or bow
windows if you want to
follow their line with
curtains
• Made of PVC and are
very strong
FLUSH MOUNT (PRODUCT DEPTH)
• Depth required to
mount a window
treatment in such a way
that it is completely
recessed inside the
window frame and no
portion of it sticks out
from the frame of the
window
FULLNESS
• Ratio of the total fabric
used to the finished
width of a drapery
• The fuller the drapery,
the smaller the spaces
between each pleat
HALF-TESTER
• 1/3 from the bed
• Rectangular canopy
above a bed extending
only partway from the
bed instead from the
headboard
HEM ALLOWANCE
• Extra fabric added to
measurements to
create a hem
INSIDE MOUNT
• Installation of a window
covering inside the
window frame
LADDER CORD
• Thin cords that are
threaded through each
slat that hold a blind
together
• In some cases, you may
be able to substitute a
cloth tape for a ladder
LEADING EDGE
• This is the inner vertical
edges of the curtain
that meets its pair at
the center of the
window
• The edge that is not
fixed to the end of the
track when you draw
back curtains and is
often decorated with a
contrasting lipping,
braid, tasseled fringe
LIFT
• The control, typically a
cord, which raises and
lowers blinds or shades
LIGHT STRIKE
• The gap on the side or
in the center of a
window treatment
through which light
penetrates
MULLION
• Trim that sets off
smaller panes of glass in
a window
OUTSIDE MOUNT
• Installation of window
coverings placed on the
wall beyond the
window frame
PANEL
• One of more widths of
fabric, sewn together to
create a large “panel” to
adequately cover the
window
• A pair of draperies
consists of a right panel
and a left panel
• A one-way draw
drapery can either be a
left panel or a right
panel
PASSEMENTERIE
• Fancy decorative
trimmings such as
tassels, tiebacks and
ribbons
PATTERN MATCH
• Random pattern
repeats are matched
vertically at the selvage
edge so that the pattern
lines up horizontally at
the leading edge of the
fabric
PATTERN REPEAT
• The interval between
the repetitions of the
same pattern
PLEATING TAPE
• Pre-made and evenly
spaced fabric tape sewn
onto a drapery heading
for stiffness to receive
and conceal drapery
hooks
POLONNAISE
• A bed set lengthwise
against the wall and
surmounted by a small
dome
PROJECTION
• A hardware term, the
rod projects in the room
• The distance from the
wall to the front of the
rod
PUDDLE
• A term used to describe
long draperies that are
lying on the floor in a
puddle fashion
RAILROADING
• Refers to using fabric
horizontally rather than
vertically
• Fabric without a nap or
a directional design can
be railroaded easily
• Used to avoid seams in
long lengths of fabric
(as in dust ruffles)
RETURN
• Distance from the front
of a window treatment
to the wall
RIGHT SIDE
• The printed side of the
fabric that is used as
the finished side of an
item
• Generally has the most
color and the most
finished look to it
STACKBACK
• This is the area required
and used by pleated
curtains when they are
open on either side of
the window
• You need to allow for
this when you measure
for your curtain track
STAGECOACH VALANCE
• A panel of fabric
mounted on a board,
and attached to the
inside frame of a
narrow window
TESTER
• Canopy framework over
a four-poster bed
TROUSER BEAK
• 1-2” of extra fabric
beyond what is needed
to reach the floor
• More contemporary
option to puddling
TURKISH BED
• Narrow bed set into a
draped recess
VELCRO
• Hook and loop tape
used for attaching fabric
to a mounting board
• Sometimes used for
lightweight fabrics and
valances
WADDED EDGE
• A rolled fabric border,
stuffed to create a
sausage shape
WADDING
• A soft, bulky material
for stuffing shapes as in
like a goblet heading
WRONG SIDE
• The back of the fabric
• The less finished side
that may have stray
threads or a rougher
look to it
GLOSSARY OF TERMS

WALLPAPER
ADHESIVE STAINS
• Stains that appear on
the paper face caused
by bad pasting methods
or poor paper handling
ALLOVERS
• Floral foliage or scroll
patterns covering the
entire paper
APPLIQUES
• Applied or laid on, as
figures cut from paper
and laid on to another
paper
BLEEDING
• The appearance of one
color to another
BLISTERS OR BUBBLES
• Means that the paper is
not flat on the substrate
and has air trapped
behind
• Caused by under
soaking or not evenly
brushing paste or
insufficient smoothing
whilst handling
COLOR RUN
• Amount of rolls
produced of a single
color combination at
one time
COMMEMORATIVE
• Designs that
memorialize a historic
event
COMPANION PAPERS
• Set of designs and
colors to be used
together in the same or
adjacent areas
DOCUMENTARY
• Design based on a
document, an old
paper, or a fabric dating
from an earlier century
DOUBLE-CUT WALLPAPER SEAM
• Installation technique
where two strips of
paper are overlapped,
while a cut is made
through the center of
the overlapped seam
and the excess paper is
removed
FLEXOGRAPHY
• The printing surface is
made of rubber, cut in
relief
FLOCKS
• Finely powdered silk,
wool, or other fibers
glued onto paper
FOILS
• A thin sheet of flexible
metal on paper,
transparent or opaque
color, which can be
printed
GAUFRANES
• Paper printed from
copper plates, leaving
the design slightly
impressed
GILDING/SILVERING
• Achieved by printing an
adhesive to the areas
that are to take the
metal dust
GROUND
• Raw stock in which a
coat of pigment is
applied before the top
colors are put on
HAND-BLOCKED
• A process of printing
with blocks in which a
separate block is
needed for each color
HANDPRINTS
• Produced by hand-
screening
INDIA
• The trade name
designating imported
Chinese painted papers
LINCRUSTA
• Widely used for
imitating Spanish
leather, ceramic tiles,
and paneling
LUSTERS
• Powdered over with
ground up paints, or
having a thin metallic
glaze
MURALS
• Any kind of wall
painting printed on
paper
MATCHING
• Wallpaper pattern
matches including
random match, straight
match and drop match
OVERLAPPING
• Where one length
encroaches on the next
• Caused by poor
workmanship,
insufficient soaking or
missing patches whilst
pasting, which makes
the paper swell
unevenly
OVERSTRETCH
• Where the paper is
poorly matched,
creased, polished
(shiny) or embossed
papers are flattened
• This is caused by bad
paper handling and
over brushing
PANORAMAS
• A series of papers with
a comprehensive
presentation of a
subject or area in every
direction
PHOTOGRAVURE
• A process of
photographic
separation using copper
or steel cylinders
PHOTOMURALS
• An enlarged photograph
used as a mural on the
wall
SCENIC
• A pictorial design
continuing over several
strips of paper
SCREEN PRINT
• Produced by silk screen
process
SEMI-SCENIC
• Having scenes spaced at
intervals
SINGLE ROLL
• Containing 36 square
feet of surface after
trimming
STARCH PASTE
• Made from maize, corn,
potato or wheat
• In a powdered form,
made to paste by adding
water
• Has a fungicide added
during manufacture
• Has a tendency to mark
the wallpaper so it is not
commonly used
• 3 types: cold water, hot
water and dextrine (stains
more than others, rarely
used)
SIZE
• Sealer used to prepare
the wall before paper is
applied
VINYLS
• Paper fused or coated
with vinyl plastic,
rendering it impervious
to steam and damp
WALLPAPER HALF-DROP MATCH
• A wallpaper repeat
where design elements
run diagonally between
3 strips (across the wall)
to complete the design
WALLPAPER PATTERN MATCH
• A wallpaper pattern
repeat that refers to the
vertical distance
between one point to
another identical point
on the wallpaper roll
WALLPAPER RANDOM MATCH
• A wallpaper pattern will
match from roll to roll
regardless of how it is
positioned on the wall
WALLPAPER SIZES
• Sizes vary depending on
where they are
produced in
Metric/Euro or
American widths and
lengths
• Packaged and sold in
double or triple roll
lengths to avoid waste
WALLPAPER STRAIGHT MATCH
• The wallpaper design
will match at the same
position on each strip of
paper
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
WALLS
ABRASION RESISTANCE
• Ability of a surface to
resist being worn away
by rubbing and friction
ACCELERATOR
• A substance which,
when added to
concrete, mortar, or
grout, increases the rate
of hydration of the
hydraulic cement,
shortens the time of
setting, or increases the
rate of hardening of
strength development,
or both
ADDITIVE
• A term frequently (but
improperly) used as a
synonym for addition of
admixture
ADHESION
• The state in which two
surfaces are held
together by interfacial
forces which may
consist of valence forces
or interlocking action,
or both
ADMIXTURE
• A material other than
water, aggregates and
hydraulic cement, used
as an ingredient of
concrete or mortar, and
added to the concrete
immediately before or
during its mixing
AGGLOMERATE
• Granular material, such
as sand, gravel, crushed
stone, and iron blast-
furnace slag, used with
a cementing medium to
form a hydraulic-
cement, concrete or
mortar
AGGREGATE
• A pre-casting of stone,
slag, sand and graved
bonded together into
an integrated mass
• The major component
of plaster, concrete and
asphalt
ALKALI
• A chemical substance
which effectively
neutralizes acid
material so as to form
neutral salts
APPLIED
• Pliant material such as
cork, fabric, foil, leather,
linoleum, paper, rubber,
or vinyl used as wall
covering
ASHLAR
• Masonry constructed of
flat-surfaced stones
with straight, clean-cut
jointing
BACKING
• Any material used as a
base over which a
finished material is to
be installed
BATTEN
• A narrow wood strip
used to cover joints
between boards or
panels
BATTERED
• A term used in construction
or architecture that refers
to a wall that slopes
backward as it rises from
the ground
• A slope at the back of a
house may be battered or
cut so that it is self-retaining
• May also apply to walls that
may gently slope inward
e.g. the walls of a castle
tower
BISQUE CRACKS
• Any fractures in the
body of a tile visible
both on the face and
back
BOND
• The adherence of one
material to another
• Must be achieved
between mortar and
scratch coat , between
he tile and mortar and
between the adhesive
and backing
BONDING AGENT
• A substance applied to
a suitable substrate to
create a bond between
it and a succeeding
layer as between a
subsurface and a
terrazzo topping or a
succeeding plaster
application
BROKEN JOINT
• Ceramic tile installation
featuring each row
offset for half its length
BOISERIE
• A French term
designating a plain or
carved wood-paneled
wall
BOSS
• The projecting
ornament placed at the
intersection of beams
or moldings
• Often a carved head of
an angel, flower, or
foliage motif
BUFF
• To polish or grind down
to a smooth finish
BEARING PARTITION
• A wall or partition that
supports the portion of
the building above it in
addition to its own
weight
BUTT JOINT
• A plain square joint
between two members
BUTTONBACK TILE
• Tiles that have
projections on the
bondable side
• Many of these
projections are round
this the term
BUTYL RUBBER
• A copolymer of about 98%
isobutylene and 2% isoprene
• Has the poorest resistance to
petroleum oils and gasoline of
any rubber
• Excellent resistance to
vegetable and mineral oils; to
solvents such as acetone,
alcohol , phenol and ethylene
glycol ; and to water and gas
absorption
• Heat resistance is above
average, sunlight resistance is
excellent, abrasion resistance is
not as good as natural rubber
• Usually low permeability to
gases
CATALYST
• Any substance which
markedly speeds up
the cure of an adhesive
when added in minor
quantity as compared
to the amounts of
primary reactants
CAULKING COMPOUND
• A soft, plastic material
consisting of pigment
and vehicle, used for
sealing joints in
buildings and other
structures where
normal structural
movement may occur
CLADDING
• Any material fixed as
“clothing” to walls and
roods
• Weathering surface that
protects a building
CURTAIN WALL
• A thin wall supported
by the structural frame
of the building and not
dependent on the load-
bearing quality of the
wall below it
CERAMIC
• A wall faced with
assorted shapes and
sizes , glazed or
unglazed, of ceramic or
terra cotta tiles
DEAD LOAD
• A constant load that in
structures is due to the
mass of the members,
the supported
structure, and
permanent attachments
and accessories
DEMOUNTABLE
• Partitions that can be
removed from its
mounted position
DIVIDER
• A screen or partition
separating one area
from another within a
larger area
ENCAUSTIC
• Tile decorated with
colored clays inlaid and
fired
• Also colored tile laid in
a wall or floor to form a
pattern
ENGLISH BOND
• A brick laying pattern in
which each layer
consists of either an
entire row of stretchers
and the next layer
entirely of headers
ETCHINGS
• Prints from a copper
plate upon which a
drawing or design has
been made by a metal
tool or by “biting” with
acid
FIELD TILE
• An area of tile covering
a wall or floor
• Bordered by tile trim
FOLDING
• Partitions with joined
sections that can be
folded together like an
accordion
GLASS BRICK
• A hollow block of glass
that is translucent but
not transparent, used
mainly in conjunction
with brick
• Aka GLASS BLOCKS
GRILLE
• A lattice or trellis
openwork screen or
wall
LATH
• A wood strip or metal
mesh, which acts as a
background or
reinforcing agent for the
scratch coat or mortar
coat
LIVE LOAD
• The moving load or
variable weight to
which a building is
subjected , due to the
weight of the people
who occupy it, the
furnishings and other
movable objects
LOAD
• A force provided by
weight or mass
(gravitational), external
or environmental
sources such as wind,
water temperature, or
other sources of energy
LOUVER
• An opening in a wall or
ceiling protected from
the rain by slats placed
at an angle
MASTIC
• Organic tile adhesive
MOVABLE
• Can be replaced in
storage
• Also called PORTABLE
MANTEL
• The projecting shelf
surmounting a fireplace
NICHE
• A recess in a wall for a
statue or ornament
NON-BEARING
• A wall or partition that
supports only its own
weight
NOSING
• The front dividing line
of a step where the top
or a riser joins the front
of a tread
OPERATIVE
• A movable wall that is
hinged or slides serving
as a room divider
PANEL
• A flat surface, raised or
recessed, surrounded
by rails and stiles, and
held in place with
moldings
PARTITION
• An interior partial wall
dividing a larger area
PERMANENT
• To last indefinitely, fixed
and changeless
PILASTER
• A rectangular shaft built
into a wall and
projecting slightly from
it
PLASTER
• Traditionally a mixture
of lima, sand, and
water, sometimes with
hair or other fiber
added, used for coating
walls and ceilings
PLASTICIZER
• A material that
increases plasticity of a
cement paste, mortar,
or concrete mixture
PLYWOOD
• Made up of thin layers
or plies of timber that
get bonded together
• Layers are laid face to
faces but each adjacent
layer the grain runs in
the opposite direction,
which provides strength
to the board making it
stiffer and stronger that
solid timber of the
same thickness
PORTABLE
• Easily movable
PORPHYRY
• Rock composed of
crystals or white or red
feldspar in a red ground
mass
• A valuable stone for
architectural and
ornamental use
PRESTIGE WALL
• The prominent or
accent wall
RAIL
• In paneling, any
horizontal strip forming
a portion of the frame
• The vertical strips are
called stiles
RELIQUARY
• A small receptacle
designed to hold a
sacred relic, usually
made of ornamented
precious metals
enriched with jewels or
enamel decoration
RIGID MATERIALS
• Aggregate, ceramics,
glass, marble, metal,
plaster, plastics, slate,
terrazzo, or wood used
as a finishing surface for
a wall
SCRATCH
• A mixture of Portland
cement, sand, and
water
SCRATCH COAT
• The first coat of plaster
or stucco, applied and
scratched to a wall or a
ceiling in three-coat
work
SCREEN
• A movable partition
intended to divide,
conceal, or protect part
of a room
SECTION/CROSS-SECTION
• A detailed working
drawing of a wall that
has been cut away to
show the interior
assembly of the
construction material
SET
• The condition reached
by a cement paste,
mortar, or concrete
when it has lost
plasticity to an arbitrary
degree, usually
measured in terms of
resistance to
penetration or
deformation
SHELF LIFE
• Maximum interval
during which a material
may be stored and
remain in a usable
condition
STUCCO
• Fine plaster or cement
made of Portland
cement, sand and lime
applied to a structure
used as ornamentation
SUBSTRATE
• The underlying support
for ceramic tile
installation
TESSERA
• A small cube of stone,
glass or marble used in
making mosaics
THIN-SET
• A term used to describe
the bonding of tile with
suitable materials
applied approximately
1/8 inch thick
TRUMEAU
• The decorative
treatment of the space
over a mantel, door, or
window, consisting of a
mirror and painting
• Specifically, it was the
over-the-mantel panel
treatment of the Louis
XV and XVI periods
VENEER
• Paper-thin wood sheets
applied to the outer
surface of furniture,
which are often inlaid
or matched to create
intricate, decorative
patterns
VENEER MATCH
• Patterns created by
placing thin slices of
wood together
featuring the grain in
various combinations
• Slip, diamond,
checkerboard, reverse
diamond, book,
running, center,
balanced match
TREILLAGE
• A pierced lattice effect
in wood
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ORNAMENTATION
ACANTHUS LEAVES
• A stylized leaf motif,
one of the primary
decorative elements of
classical architecture, as
evident on the capital of
the Corinthian column
• With its origins in
Greece, it was adopted
by Romans and
transmitted into the
general classical
tradition
ANTHEMION
• Based on the
honeysuckle flowers
and leaves
ARABESQUE
• A Moorish design or
scrollwork, leaves,
flowers, and interlaced
branches, beautifully
intertwining and
flowing pattern of
leaves and flowers,
based on the Assyrian
Tree of Life
ATLANTES/TELAMONES
• A full or half male figure
used instead of a
column or in place of a
furniture leg
BASEBOARD
• A board placed at the
base of a wall and rests
on the floor, usually
treated with moldings
BEADING
• A decorative strip or
molding that resembles
a string of beads
• Found on furniture,
silver, glassware,
pottery, etc.
BEAD AND REEL/ASTRAGAL
• Bead + two discs
BEVEL
• The edge of any flat
surface that has been
cut at a slant to the
main area
BOULLE
• Tortoiseshell, ivory,
mother-of-pearl and
metals of various colors
used as inlay to
ornament cabinetwork
• Name is derived from
Andre Charles Boulle
BULLNOSE
• The rounding of an
edge or aris
• E.g. to the edge of a
table or a rounded edge
of a brick
C AND S SCROLLS
• Motifs, which emulate
the letters c and s,
which are
characteristics of the
Rococo style
• Found on furniture and
decorative frames
CARTOUCHE
• The form of an unrolled
scroll with and oval
center and having
pierced, curled edges
• It is a conventionalized
shield or ovoid form
used as an ornament,
often enclosed with
wreaths, garlands on
scroll-like forms
CARYATID
• A column carved in
human form, used as a
supporting motif in an
architectural
composition
• Female
CAVETTO
• A molding of concave
form approximating a
quarter circle
• “cavity”
CEILING ROSE
• Generally made of
plaster, a circular
decorative molding
fixed to the ceiling,
often in the center and
often has a pendant
light fitting suspended
from it
CHAIR RAIL
• The topmost molding of
a dado, sometimes
known as the dado cap
• It is placed on a wall at
the height of a chair
back to protect the
finish of the wall
CHAMFER
• A bevel or slope made
by pairing off the edge
of anything originally
right angled
• Often used on the legs
of furniture
CHECKERBOARD
• A pattern consisting of
alternating light and
dark squares
CORNER BLOCK
• A square block of wood
used to form a junction
between the sides and
head strip of door and
window trim
• Any block similarly used
in cabinet-making
CROCKET
• Ornament used on the
sides of pinnacles,
usually leaf or bud-
shaped
• A formalized bunch of
leaves carved at
intervals on the edge of
wood moldings
• Gothic period
CINQUEFOIL
• A French term meaning
“five leaves”
• Pattern resembling a
five-leaved clover
COFFER
• An ornamental sunken
panel in a ceiling, vault,
or the lower surface of
an arch, beam or other
architectural feature
CORNICE
• A molded projection
that crowns a wall or
divides it horizontally
for compositional
purposes
• May be formed simply
with a crown molding
or be built up with a
number of moldings
CROWN MOLDING
• A decorative molding at
the junction between a
walls ad ceiling of a
room, or the uppermost
horizontal molding of a
classical entablature
CYMA RECTA CURVE
• An S shapes curve
which begins and ends
horizontally
• “buntis”
CYMA REVERSA CURVE
• As opposed to the cyma
recta, here the curve
starts and ends
vertically
• “big boobs”
DADO
• The lower portion of a
wall, when treated
differently from the
surface above it
• In the classical styles, it
usually has a base,
shaft, and cap molding,
and is often paneled or
ornamented
DIAPER PATTERN
• An all-over or repeating
pattern without definite
limits
DENTIL
• A small square
projecting block in a
cornice
ECHINUS
• An ovoid shaped
molding forming part of
a classical capital
• It springs from the shaft
of the column, just
under the abacus
EGG AND DART MOLDING
• A classical motif found
on architectural
elements such as
decorative cornices and
also furniture
• Consists of repeated
and alternate dart and
egg (oval) shapes
ESPAGNOLETTE
• A female head and bust
used at the top of a
volute
FESTOON
• A string of many kinds
of material hanging in a
curve between two
points
FILIGREE
• A divider with an
openwork design, the
lacy effect produced by
twisting and curling
wire together
• Or the open work in
porcelain
FILLET
• A narrow flat molding
or area, raised or sunk
to separate larger
moldings or areas
FLEUR-DE-LIS
• A stylized three-petaled
iris flower tied by an
encircling band, used as
the heraldic bearing of
the royal family of
France
FLUTES
• Channels in a vertical
position used to
embellish columns,
pilasters, or furniture
legs
• These are the parallel
concave grooves that
are used to ornament a
surface
FRET
• A Greek geometric band
or border motif,
consisting of interlacing
or interlocking lines
• Aka MEANDER or KEY
pattern
GADROON
• Elongated ovoid forms
placed in a parallel
series and projecting
beyond the surface they
enrich
GAINE
• A pilaster that narrows
toward the bottom
ands is capped with a
topless female half-
figure
GARGOYLE
• A grotesque animal or
human form used as a
water spout
GESSO
• A prepared plaster of
chalk and white lead
which may be cast to
make repeating
ornamental forms in
relief to apply to wood
panels, plaster surfaces,
etc.
GRIFFIN
• A monster with the
body of a lion and the
head and wings of an
eagle
GROTESQUE
• An incongruous
combination of
monstrous animal and
human forms
GUILLOCHE
• A band or border
running pattern having
the appearance of
overlapping or
interlacing circular
forms
HERM
• A tapering pilaster
terminating in a head or
bust of a male
HOCK
• A cabriole leg formed
like the tarsal joint of
the hind leg of a
quadruped
HONEYSUCKLE
• A decorative motif of
Greek origin resembling
a conventionalized
fanlike arrangement of
petals
LINENFOLD
• A panel resembling
folded cloth
• Gothic period
LOZENGE
• An alternate name for
conventional diamond-
shaped motif
LUNETTE
• A form resembling a
crescent or half moon
MASCARON
• A grotesque head or
mask
MEANDER
• A running ornament
consisting of an
intricate variety of fret
or fretwork
MELON BULB
• A highly ornamented
turning in two sections
MILLEFLEUR
• Overall pattern of
stylized flowers and
plants
• French origin
NOSING
• The leading or
prominent edge of a
molding or drip
• It may be the edge of a
step of the edge of a
table of bench
• E.g. a bull nosing
OGEE/OGIVE
• A molding or an arch
form composed of two
opposing cyma curves
whose convex sides
meet in a point, thus
forming an s, but is
somewhat elongated
compared to a cyma
ORMOLU
• A variety of brass made
to imitate gold or
bronze
• Called an ormolu mount
when mounted on a
surface
OVOLO
• A convex molding used
in classical architecture
• Usually an exact quarter
of a circle but in Grecian
it is flatter and quirked
on top
• Opposite of cavetto
OYSTERING
• Using veneers cut as
cross sections of roots
and branches of walnut,
olive-wood, and some
fruit woods to resemble
the irregular concentric
rings in oyster shells
PATERA
• A flat circle or oval
containing acanthus
leaves in a rosette
arrangement
PICTURE MOLD
• A horizontal molding
near a ceiling from which
pictures can be
suspended
• Also called PICTURE RAIL
PLATE RAIL
• A rail or narrow shelf
fixed along a wall and
grooved to hold plates,
especially for
ornaments or display
QUATREFOIL
• A four-lobed
ornamentation
• “four-leaf clover”
REEDING
• A long, semi-cylindrical,
stem-like from or a
grouping of such used
to enrich moldings
RINCEAU
• Scroll and leaf
ornament sometimes
combined with
cartouches or
grotesque forms and
applied to friezes,
panels or other
architectural forms
• Usually a symmetrical
horizontal composition
• Sometimes called an
ARABESQUE
ROSETTE
• An ornamental motif
formed by a series of
leaves arranged around
a central point
• The leaves are usually
conventionalized and
may be arranged to
form a circle, ellipse, or
square
SALTIER
• An x-pattern
SCALLOP SHELL
• A semicircular shell with
ridges radiating from a
point at the bottom
• This motif was especially
common in furniture
design during the Queen
Anne and Georgian
periods in England and
the United States
• It was also extensively
used in the early Spanish
Renaissance
SCROLL
• A parchment roll used
as an ornament
SCROLL PEDIMENT
• Broken pediment with
each half shaped in the
form or a reverse curve,
one ending in an
ornamental scroll
• Usually a finial or some
sort is placed in the
center between the two
halves of the pediment
SEAWEED
• Used as marquetry in
furniture panes
• Aka AND ENDIVE (?)
SPHINX
• A figure having the
head and breasts of a
woman, the wings of an
eagle, and the body of a
lion
STRAPWORK
• Consisting of enriched
interlacing flat bands
and forms similar to
fretwork
TRACERY
• The stonework formed
in the head of a Gothic
window
• Applied to the surface
on a door or wood
panel
TREE-OF-LIFE PATTERN
• A pattern resembling a
tree or vine, showing
branches, leaves,
flowers, and small
animals
• Originating in ancient
Assyria, it was
borrowed from
Persians, East Indians
and early English
Renaissance designers
TREFOIL
• A three-lobed
ornamentation
resembling a clover
TRIM
• Millwork around
openings such as
windows and doors
• Usually called CASING
TORUS
• A convex semi-circular
molding
VIGNETTES
• Ornamental motifs,
patterns or portraits
centered on a large field
VITRUVIAN SCROLL (WAVE PATTERN)
• A peculiar pattern of
scrollwork consisting of
convolved undulations
VOLUTE
• A spiral scroll forming
the principal
characteristics of the
ionic capital
WAINSCOT
• A wooden lining for
interior walls, usually
paneled
• Any treatment
resembling the same
WATERLEAF/LEAF AND DART
• A conventionalized leaf
pattern of classical
origin used to enrich a
Cyma Reversa molding
WAVE PATTERN
• A continuous pattern
conventionally imitating
a series of breaking
wave crests
WREATH
• A decorative band or
garland of flowers,
foliage, or other
ornamental material
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
PAINT
ACRYLIC
• A general class of
resinous polymers
derived from esters,
amides or other acrylic
acid derivatives
ALKALI RESISTANT
• Paint used on new
plaster, which is durable
in contact with lime
ANCHORING
• Mechanical bonding of
a coating to a rough
surface as contrasted
with adhesion, which is
chemical bonding
ANTI-CORROSIVE PAINT
• Metal paint designed to
inhibit corrosion
ANTI-FUNGUS PAINTS
• These paints contain
toxic compounds which
kill any fungi attempting
to feed from it
• Some paint have a
fungicide added to
them, these sometimes
do not last the duration
of the paint film’s life
ANTI-SLIP PAINT
• Paint that contains a
grit (sand, plastic chips,
cork dust) that forms a
grippable surface that
breaks the “tension” of
the water
ANTIQUING
• This is the process of
artificially ageing paint
• Can be achieved by
rubbing over the new
paint with a darker
glaze or color wash
• This creates a dirtier
color
BAMBOOING
• The imitation of
bamboo is achieved by
painting turned or
carved wood to copy
the bamboo knots and
grain, then decorating it
• It was popular during
the 18th century
• Often used to change
the look of an old piece
of furniture
BLEEDING
• Undercoat staining
through the topcoat
BLISTERING
• Bubbles or blisters in
the paint film
• Caused by water vapor
being attracted to heat
and forming spaces
beneath the film, or
resins rom knots in the
timber being attracted
to heat, or paint being
used on surfaces which
have extreme heat
BLUSHING
• Milky opalescence in
lacquer usually caused
by lack of compatibility
in the paint or being
applied in cold or wet
weather (moisture in
the lacquer)
CHALKING
• Is a powdery deposit
being formed on a dry
paint film surface
• The powder is unbound
pigment
• This is caused by painting
over surfaces that haven’t
been sealed sufficiently ,
or the paint is in deficient
in binder, cause by over
thinning
• Can also occur when
using interior paints on
exterior surfaces
CHECKING, CRACKING, CROCODILING,
ALLIGATORING
• These are all names for
splits that appear in the
film of the surface
coating
• Caused by the use of
excessive dryers or
recoating before the
undercoat is dry
COLORWASH
• This is a diluted layer of
paint or proprietary
product that is applied
over a base coat to
provide a wash or
“glimpse” of color
• Often used in country
homes
CRACKLE-GLAZE PAINT
• This imitates old peeling
paint and provides a
cobweb look
• The crackle glaze is
applied between two
water-based coats of
differing colors
• This then produces a
series of cracks on the
top layer and exposes
the base coat color
underneath
CRAQUELURE
• This is a process that
was developed to
imitate the crazing of
very old varnish
• Achieved by applying
two varnishes to a
surface that dry at
different rates
• Achieves a finer crazing
than by using the
crackle glaze but is a
more expensive method
DEVILING
• Scratching plaster to
prepare the surface for
the next coat
DISTEMPER
• A type of paint made by
mixing the pigment
with glue or size
• Now largely superseded
by emulsion paints
DISTRESSING
• This is making a finish
look older than it really is
or time worn and rugged
• It is achieved by using two
different colors, base and
top coat and partially
removing the top coat to
expose the base
underneath
• It looks as if it has been
worn of by years of wear
and tear
DRIER
• A chemical preparation
added to paint which
causes it to dry quickly
EFFLORESCENCE
• A white fluffy surface
deposit that is caused
by salts in the plaster
being drawn to the
surface
• The moisture
evaporates and the
efflorescence appears
• Dry brushing will
remove it
EGGSHELL PAINT
• This is now referred to
as semi-gloss paint
• This is paint with a
finish midsheen
between matte and
gloss
FINISHING COAT
• Final coat
• Provide the final color
and gloss level required
• The protection layer
from weather, moisture,
knock and chips
• The aesthetic layer of
the paint system
FLAKING
• Paint or varnish lifting
away from the surface in
flakes because of a
breakdown of the
adhesion
• Occurs when painting
damp surfaces, especially
timber, or painting
powdery surfaces
• To prevent this, ensure
that all the surfaces are
completely dry and that
the correct sealer and
preparation has occurred
FRESCO
• Method of painting on
wet plaster with
tempera colors
• The plaster absorbs the
pigment and when dry,
the painting becomes
hard and durable and a
part of the plaster
GILDING
• This is essentially the
application of a gold
finish
• It can be achieved by
applying gold leaf, or by
using metallic powders
GLAZING COMPOUND
• Putty used to set glass
in window frames and
to fill nail holes and
cracks
GRAINING
• A painted imitation of
the fiber lines of wood
GRAIN RAISING
• Swelling and standing
up of the wood grain
caused by absorbed
water and solvents
JAPANNING
• A type of varnishing
• Imitates the lacquering
work from the east
• Used in the 1660’s
• Produced by using heat
hardened spirit based
varnishes and as oil
based became available
they were used
LACQUER
• A glossy type of paint
finish
• Usually applied by
spraying
• Modern lacquers are
unlike varnishes or
enamels are based on
cellulose compounds
LACQUERING (JAPANNING)
• Layering of numerous
coats of varnish, sanding
in between coats
• Creates a smooth lustrous
effect
• Original technique came
from Eastern cultures and
the sap of the Lac tree
was used
• It is popular for use on
furniture and can be used
on walls
NEGATIVE STENCIL
• This paint is passed
through the voids that
surround the design
PRIMER
• First coat of paint that is
applied to a raw (unpainted)
surface
• Used to “stick” to the
substrate and provide
adhesions for the remaining
coats of paint
• Provides a smooth stable
surface for the following
coats and prevents
corrosion and chemical
attach of the substrate
• There are numerous types
available to suit the
substrate and surface
conditions
RIVELLING
• Wrinkles occurring in
the paint film as it dries
• Happens because the
paint has been applied
too thickly
• To prevent it, ensure
that paint is applied to
the normal film
thickness
THINNERS
• Solvents used to thin
coatings
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CARPET
ABRASH
• Variation or striation of
color in a rug
ANTI-MICROBIAL
• A chemical treatment
added to carpet to
reduce the growth of
common bacteria,
fungi, yeast, mold and
mildew
ANTI-STATIC
• A carpet’s ability to
dissipate an
electrostatic charge
before it reaches a level
that a person can feel
BEARDING
• Fiber fuzz on level loop
pile carpets
BERBER
• A modern style of carpet
• Distinguished by a loop
pile construction type and
usually contain small
flecks of dark color on
lighter shades of
background colors
• Typically in plain color mix
with no pattern and are
relatively cheap and
durable
• Popular for relatively
heavy use such as offices
BERBER RUGS
• The traditional hand-
woven carpets of the
Berber people of North
Africa which uses a
distinct knot that gives
a similar appearance to
a modern Berber carpet
but are brightly colored
with designs that are
different from other
Oriental rugs
BINDING
• Handmade fabric edge
applied to soft floor
coverings to prevent
fraying
BLOOMING
• The opening and
untwisting of the pile
yarns
• Very common and a
desired trait with tightly
woven wool products
BORDER CARPET
• Often a narrow width
product intended to
enhance the aesthetic
value of another carpet,
either as an area rug,
fitted wall-to-wall and
quite stunning in halls
and stairways
• 3”, 6”, 9”, 13” are
common widths
BREADTH
• Refers to the span
across the weft of the
carpet and generally
used when several
sections are seamed
together
CARPET CUSHION
• Padding used
underneath carpet or
area rugs made of felt,
polyurethane foam,
rubber and other
materials to provide
comfort and durability
CROSS SEAMS
• Seams created by joining
carpet end-to-end rather
than side-by-side
DELAMINATION
• The separation of the
secondary backing or
attached cushion from
the primary backing of
the carpet
DROP MATCH
• A pattern that drops
down to create a
diagonal repeat
• Most often half the
pattern
FLATTENING
• This is expected on any type
of carpet in high traffic areas
such as doorways around
furniture under desks, etc.
• The pile flattening or the pile
being repositioned
• More noticeable in plain cut
pile carpets as there is a
noticeable difference
between the top and side of
the yarn tuft
• To ease this problem,
vacuuming or wet or dry
cleaning will temporarily
revive the pile but may occur
again
HEATHER
• A multicolor effect
provided by blending
fibers of different colors
prior to spinning carpet
yarn
INGRAIN CARPET
• A historic “reversible”
weave that is a double-
faced pile-less carpet of
colored filling yarns
• When reversed, the
design and colors are
often opposite from the
other side
• Commonly referred to
as SUMMER/WINTER
PATTERN MATCH
• The aligning of the
pattern across the
seams to maintain the
consistent rhythm of
the pattern as defined
by the carpet itself
PATTERN REPEAT
• The distance traveled
within the materials to
arrive at the same
location on the next
pattern
• Measured in length and
width
POWER STRETCHER
• A carpet installation
tool used to stretch
carpet for installation
with a tackless strip
• To prevent wrinkles and
ripples
PUCKERING
• Carpet seam flaw due
to poor layout or
stretching
RESILIENCE
• Ability of carpet fibers
to spring back to
original shaped after
being crushed
SCALLOPING
• The wavy or puckering
around the perimeter of
a room from improper
stretching angles
• Unlike tufted carpets,
few woven materials
allow for equal stretch
in width and length
SEAM SLIPPAGE
• The pulling apart of a
sewn seam often, though
not always, a result of
improper or inadequate
sewing techniques
• With newly fitted carpets,
improper sewing would
be likely
• However, after several
years, other factors such
as shrinkage from over
wetting or water damage
would be suspect
SET MATCH
• Patterns that match
straight across
• Of particular relevance
when working with
narrow width goods
SHADING
• This is irregular light and
dark patches occurring on
the carpet
• It looks similar to tracking
but it is not temporary
• It is more obvious in plain
dark colors so ensure you
consider this factor when
selecting a carpet
• Not a manufacturing
defect, does not affect
the product’s durability
SIZING
• A basic term for coatings
applied to the back of
woven products to
enhance stiffness and
reduce unraveling
• Certain qualities enhance
the use of hot melt seam
tape while others inhibit
its use
• Many resist latex, a
complication for the
unprepared installer
SOIL RETARDANT
• A chemical finish
applied to fibers or
carpet surfaces that
inhibits attachment of
soil
WAR RUG
• An Afghanistan rug which
has its origins in the
decade of Soviet
occupation of Afghanistan
from 1979, and has
continued through
subsequent military,
political and social
conflicts
• Afghan rug-makers began
incorporating the
apparatus of war into
their designs almost
immediately after the
Soviet Union invaded
their country
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
SCULPTURE
ALABASTER
• A fine-grained stone
with a smooth milk-
white surface
• Used for ornaments and
statuary
• Slightly translucent
AGGREGATE
• The inert ingredient is
mixed with a cement in
making a casting mix
ARCHITECTURAL
• With relation to
sculpture, this means any
component of a building
or structure which has
been modeled, carved, or
welded by a sculptor and
integrated into the whole
in some manner as to
embellish or enhance it,
as distinguished from
work created for display
independently
ARMATURE
• A framework of metal
wire or tubing used in
fashioning a work in
clay, wax, or plaster of
Paris
BASE
• Also called a PLINTH
• This is what the
sculpture is attached,
fixed, or mounted on
BOZZETTO
• A small terracotta
sketch of a sculpture
• Italian
CAMEO
• A design carved in relief
in stone or shell
CAST
• Metal or plaster poured
into a mold and left to
harden to produce a
work of art
CHASING
• A mechanical process of
finishing a metal surface
COLD CAST BRONZE
• Modern method of
casting sculptures in
which the casting
material is a resin mixed
with powdered bronze
• The finished sculpture
has a surface which
looks very similar to a
traditionally cast bronze
although it tends to be
much lighter
COLOSSAL
• Larger than heroic
• Huge
DIRECT CARVING
• A 20th century term used to
describe a less planned
approach to carving in which
the sculptor carves the
finished sculpture without
using intermediate models
or maquettes
• The sculptor either works
from memory or works
while observing the subject
• In some respects, it can be
seen as a return to the direct
approach used in primitive
art
• Also referred to as TAILLE
DIRECTE
DIORITE
• A type of dark-colored,
hard stone much used
in Egyptian sculpture
FIGURATIVE
• Of or portraying the
human or animal figure
• Can either be realistic in
varying degrees or
stylized
FIGURINE
• A small molded
statuette
HEROIC
• Larger than life-size
INTAGLIO
• A form of incised relief
in which the design is
sunk below the surface
MAQUETTE
• Small scale model for a
finished sculpture
• It is used to visualize
and test shapes and
ideas without incurring
the cost and effort of
producing a full scale
sculpture
PLASTICENE
• Oil-based clay used for
modelling sculptures
• Its chief advantages
over water clay is it
does not shrink, crack,
or dry out and can be
worked on over a long
period of time
PLASTER CAST
• A copy of a sculpture
which is cast in plaster
• Can accurately
reproduce the details of
the original sculpture,
but is usually much less
durable
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CERAMICS
ASH GLAZE
• A glaze utilizing wood or
vegetable ashes
AGEING
• Refers to the process of
allowing newly mixed
casting slip to set,
undisturbed, for several
days
• This allows the
ingredients to
homogenize for best
casting qualities
AIRBRUSHING
• The process of applying
color with the use of a
small air-pressure gun
• Used for shading and
general decorating
ANTIQUING
• A decorating process in
which you remove
applied color to
accentuate detail
BALL CLAY
• A fine-grained, highly
plastic secondary clay
that fires to white or
near white
BLISTERING
• Refers to the
appearance of broken
bubbles found on the
glazed surfaces of fired
ceramics
BURNISHING
• Finishing technique,
rubbing leather-hard
vessel with hard tool,
such as a stone or
potsherd, to produce
glossy surface with
irregular luster and
polishing marks visible
COILING
• A method of hand-
building a form using long
rolled out, or extruded,
snake-like lengths of clay
• Each coil of clay is
integrated with the
previous one to build the
work up
• The coils may be
completely obliterated in
the construction process
or retained for their
decorative quantities
CRACKLE
• Refers to the decorative
and intentional
“netting” created on
the surface of a glaze
due to a variation in the
expansion and
contraction of both the
glaze and the clay body
in the kiln
CRAWLING
• Refers to a glaze that has
separated into sections
on the clay surface during
firing
• Also referred to as
ALLIGATOR GLAZE
• (?) Refers to a glaze
defect in which the glaze
pulls away or crawls away
from the bisque, leaving
bare bisque areas
CRAZING
• Refers to a glaze defect
in which hairline cracks
appear on a fired glaze
surface
CROSSHATCH
• Decorating technique
that calls for applying
alternate coats of color
at perpendicular angles
DRYBRUSHING
• An effect achieved by
applying non-fired color
very lightly with an
almost dry brush
ENAMEL
• A form of low
temperature glaze that
is applied on top of an
already fired higher
temperature glaze
• Often lead-based, as it
is a flux, which works at
a low temperature
FLUX
• A substance which
causes or promotes
melting
FRIT
• A combination of
materials that have
been melted into a
glass, cooled, and
reground into a powder
prior to being added to
a glaze recipe
OXIDATION
• A firing where there is
either no combustion
occurring (electric kiln)
or where there is
sufficient oxygen in the
kiln to allow the fuel to
burn cleanly
REDUCTION
• A firing in which the
supply of oxygen in the
kiln is inadequate to
promote complete
combustion
• Carbon monoxide thus
formed combines with
oxygen in clay and
glazes, altering their
colors
REFRACTORY
• A ceramic material that
can resist great heat
and is therefore suitable
for lining furnaces
• Fireclay, dolomite,
magnesite and silica are
examples
• Not to be confused with
refractory metals, such
as columbium and
tantalum
SALT FIRING
• Traditionally, rock salt is
thrown into the fire at the
maturing temperature of
the clay until an orange-
peel textured clear glaze
appears
• Can also refer to the use
of sodium in a kiln at any
temperature, or during a
post-firing after a work
has already been fired
once
SALT GLAZE
• A glaze created during
high-temperature
firings
• Sodium, usually in the
form of rock salt, is
introduced into the fully
heated kiln and forms a
clear coating on the
clay, often with an
orange-peel texture
SMOKING
• Refers to the greying or
discoloration of a glaze,
caused by underfiring
TERRA SIGILLATA
• A slip comprised of the
smallest particles of
clay, which
consequently resembles
a burnished surface
• The technique was used
to impressive effect in
the Greco-Roman
period
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
LIGHTING
ARGAND LAMP
• Lamp invented by a
Swiss named Argand in
1783
• Had a round wick with
provision for the
introduction of air
inside the wick as well
as around the outside
ASTRAL LAMP
• Oil lamp with swinging
tubular arms, generally
furnished with an
Argand burner
• Used in the early 19th
century
ADAPTATION
• The process by which
the eye adjusts to a
change in light level
AMBIENT LIGHT
• General light, often
indirect, or entering a
room from an adjacent
space
BAFFLE
• An opaque or
translucent element
used to shield a lamp
from view or to absorb
unwanted light
BALLAST
• A device used with HID
and fluorescent lamps
to establish the circuit
conditions necessary to
start and operate the
lamp
BARE LAMP
• An unshielded light
source
BLINDING GLARE
• Glare so intense that
you cannot see for a
short period of time
CONCEALED LIGHT
• Any artificial light source,
concealed behind a
decorative facing, which
allows the light to diffuse
over its edges, and
through it, if the facing is
translucent
• This type of lighting can
be recessed into ceiling or
wall; can be direct,
indirect, or semi-direct
• Examples: Cove and
valance lighting
CONTRAST
• The difference in
luminance between an
object and its
background
DICHROIC MIRROR
• An optical filter that
selectively reflects
some wavelengths,
while transmitting
others
DIFFUSE REFLECTION
• One that appears
scattered, either in
reflection or
transmission
DIMMER
• A device used to
regulate the intensity of
light from a lamp
DIRECTIONAL LIGHT
• This is the light that is
focused and forced to
travel in a particular
direction either by a
reflector or baffle
• This may be a spotlight
or any sort of a lamp
with an opaque shade
so that the light goes in
a particular direction
DISABLING GLARE
• Glare that reduces
visibility and visual
performance
DISCOMFORT GLARE
• Annoying glare but
often does not reduce
visibility and visual
performance
EYEBALL
• Recessed or semi-
recessed lighting unit
with a rotating spherical
element that may be
turned to project light
in any direction below
the ceiling line
FIBER OPTICS
• A way of transmitting
light through long
flexible glass or plastic
fibers, using the
principle of total intern
refraction
FILTER
• A device to change, in
transmission, the
quality of light affecting
the magnitude and/or
spectral make-up
FLUORESCENCE
• The emission of light,
only during the
absorption of radiation
of a different
wavelength
ILLUMINANCE
• The density of a light on
a surface
LOUVERS
• A series of baffles,
usually geometric, used
to shield a lamp from
view at certain viewing
angles
PROJECTOR
• A lighting unit which, by
means of lenses and
mirrors, concentrates
light in a limited angle
and intensifies it
SHIELDING
• A general term used to
describe devices that
block, diffuse, or
redirect light such as a
louver or a lampshade
SPILL LIGHT
• A term applied to any
stray light outside the
main concentration of
the beam, usually
controlled by louvers,
baffles, etc.
VEILING REFLECTION
• Glare where reflection
reduces contrast and so
prevents detail being
discerned
WORK PLANE
• Usually the horizontal
surface at which a task
is performed, and at
which light levels are
specified and measured
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
GLASS
ACID ETCHING
• The process of etching the
surface of glass with
hydrofluoric acid to create a
design
• Was first developed on a
commercial scale by
Richardson’s of Stourbridge,
England, which registered a
patent in 1857
• An effect superficially
similar to weathering can be
obtained by exposing glass
to fumes of hydrofluoric
acid to make an all-over
matte surface
ANCIENT GLASS
• Generally refers to glass
made before the
Venetian era of glass
making
ANNEAL
• To cool glass by
reintroducing a
completed object into an
auxiliary part of the glass
furnace and slowly
cooling the object so that
any strain created in the
glass during the forming
process may be released
• The critical are for cooling
is 100-800 degrees
ANTIQUE GLASS
• A trade term for glass
more than 25 years old
BLOWN GLASS
• The shaping of glass by
blowing air through a
hollow rod into the
center of a molten glass
gather
CHECK
• A small crack on the
surface of the glass
CULLET
• Broken or waste glass
suitable for re-melting
CUT GLASS
• Clear glass ornamentation
created using a diamond
wheel to cut a decorative
pattern onto the surface of
glass, which are sometimes
combined with etched glass
patterns
• NOTE: the art of creating
hand-cut glass ornamentation
on a curved glass surface has
been lost; a method where
craftsmen manipulate a large
curved glass panel, suspended
in a sling over a diamond
cutting wheel to engrave a
pattern into the surface of the
glass
CHEVAL GLASS
• Literally meaning “horse
mirror”
• It is a full-length mirror,
usually standing on the
floor
DECORATIVE GLASS
• Any glass application
used for ornamental
purposes
• i.e. hand-blown glass,
beveled, stained glass
ENAMELED GLASS
• Opaque glass colors
melted onto glass
surface
• The colors are actually
glass powders
FRIT
• Crushed glass often
melted onto other glass
to produce patterns and
color
HAND-BLOWN GLASS
• Objects created by
blowing and shaping
glass by hand
INCALMO
• Joining two or more
blown sections while
hot
IRIDISCENT GLASS
• Colored glass that has
been coated with
metallic oxides to create
the ancient or antiqued
effect
• Gives a shimmering
effect such as that used
in the Tiffany lamps
LATTICINO
• Threads of white or
colored glass within
clear glass, sometimes
lace-like in pattern
LAMP WORK
• Any glass-working
technique done with
the direct flame of a
torch
• Work with pre-formed
glass rods and tubes
MURRHINE
• Fragile opalescent
glassware made by the
Romans and used for
ornamental and useful
purposes
PIER GLASS
• A glass or mirror
designed to stand on
the floor against a wall
or a surface
PONTIL
• An iron rod used in
glass manufacturing to
carry hot materials
• Pontil mark is the
permanent mark left by
the pontil after the
material has cooled
PRESSED GLASS
• Glass that is
ornamented in relief by
pressing into a mold
PYREX
• A type of borosilicate
glass perfected in 1915
by W.C. Taylor and
Eugene Sullivan of
Corning Glass Works in
Corning, New York
SANDBLASTING
• A method used to remove
layers of glass by
bombardment with fine
grains of sand that are
propelled by compressed
air
• A cloudy dull finish will
result with every layer
removed
• Some artist use the
sandblasting process to
remove enough glass to
actually go through the
glass for different effects
STAINED GLASS
• English: leaded
windows of pale
colored glass and
jewels, often intricately
hand-painted
• American: brightly
colored, unpainted
pieces of glass and
jewels leaded together
STAINED GLASS OVERLAY
• Window treatment
design to mimic stained
or etched glass window
THERMAL SHOCK
• Glass breakage caused
by rapid or uneven
heating or cooling
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
STEEL
AQUATINT
• A method of engraving
on copper by the use of
a resinous solution of
nitric acid
CADMIUM PLATING
• A protective plating for
steel
• Often used for wood
screws
DINANDRIE
• 15th century metal alloy,
the ancestor of pewter,
being a combination of
copper, tin, and lead
• Used particularly in
application to
ornamental figures
made in Dinant,
Belgium
DAMASCENE WORK
• A type of metal inlay
• The design is incised by
means of acid
applications on a metal
base, and the
depressions are filled in
with wired or different
metals cut to fit
FERROALLOY
• A metal product
commonly used as a raw
material feed in
steelmaking, usually
containing iron and other
metals to aid various
stages of the steelmaking
process such as
deoxidation,
desulfurization and
adding strength
• Ex: ferrochrome,
ferromanganese,
ferrosilicone
FIREBACKS
• Metal linings, often
ornamented and usually
of cast iron, placed in a
fireplace behind the fire
to reflect heat and
protect the masonry
GALVANIZING
• The process by which
steel is coated with a
layer of zinc
• The zinc coating
provides the steel with
greater corrosion
resistance
INGOT
• Steel cast in a metal mold
ready for rolling or forging
• It is distinct from a casting,
which is not rolled or forged
• Usually rectangular, called
SLABS; square called
BLOOMS; polygonal, eight-
or 12-sided for forging
• Squares and polygonal
ingots can be fluted or
corrugated to increase the
surface area and reduce the
tendency to crack while
cooling
IRONWORK
• Decorative, hand-forged
iron or cast iron grilles,
screens, gates, grates,
etc.
MOUNTS
• Ornamental or
utilitarian metal work,
such as handles, drawer
pulls, escutcheons, etc.
used on cabinetwork
PICKLING
• Treating the surface of
iron or steel with acid to
remove scale, rust and
dirt, preparatory to
further processing such
as cold rolling, tinning,
galvanizing, polishing,
etc.
REPOUSSE
• Relief work on metal
materials
• The design is pushed
out by hammering the
material on the reverse
side
SCALE
• Oxide of iron that forms
on the surface of steel
after heating
SHEET
• Wide, flat-rolled steel
• Generally accepted that
steel:
– LESS than 3mm thick is
SHEET
– MORE than 3mm thick is
PLATE
SLAG
• (A) the non-metallic
material forming a molten
layer on top of the molten
steel in a steel furnace;
made by charging suitable
materials and plays an
important role in the
refining of the steel
• (B) loosely applied to any
waste material drawn off
in molten form
STERLING
• A term used in
connection with
silverware, indicating
that the silver is 92 ½
percent pure
TEMPERING
• Aka DRAWING
• The process by which
steel or iron is softened
by reheating it at a
considerably lower
temperature than that
at which its previous
hardening was done
TOLE
• Useful or decorative
objects made of tin and
ornamented with
painted or enameled
patterns
VERDIGRIS
• Greenish patina found
on aged brass, bronze
or copper side