Antique Furniture Terms Explained
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- Eagle: Decorative motif popular during the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in America during the Federal period.
- Eagle splat: See Splat.
- Ear of wheat: Inlaid or carved ornamental motif in the shape of an ear of wheat used in the Classical style.
- Easy chair: Padded and upholstered armchair first introduced to America during the William and Mary period. Primarily used by the elderly and infirm during the 18th century. Period term for wing chair.
- Ebonised Wood: Wood which has been stained black to simulate ebony.
- Eglomisé: Unfired reverse painting or gilding on glass. Found inset in looking-glasses, clocks, desks, and other objects, particularly during Federal period. Favored colors were gold, white, and blue. Also called verre Eglomisé.
- En suite: Part of a set of furniture. A set of furniture made for a particular room and sold as a whole was an innovation of the 19th century in America.
- End Standards: The supporting ends of a table or stool.
- Entablature: Upper part of a classical temple, located above the column and composed of an architrave, a frieze, and a cornice, in that order of ascendance. Also refers to the top of a piece of case furniture.
- Escritoire: A word borrowed from the French to denote a piece of furniture at which one can write. Sometimes found in early accounts in the form 'scrutoire'. Synonym of secretaire.
- Escutcheon: Key plate, usually of brass, made to protect keyhole on object. Also a motif used as a centre decoration.
- Etagère: Shelves, usually freestanding, used to display small objects. Popular during the mid- to late 19th century, the form was also called a whatnot.
