The antique marks glossary - and antique terms c - from cabaret to cutlery and cabinet to cut glass.

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• All the c's

cabaret (ceramic - porcelain tray - breakfast cabaret)

A small tray usually of porcelain with a matching set of cups, milk jug, sugar bowl and tea or coffee pot. Also -- breakfast cabaret for serving breakfast and known as a dejeuner. Also -- a tete-a-tete for serving two and a solitaire for serving one.

cabinet (furniture - drawer and cupboard)

The term used to describe a piece of furniture incorporating drawer and cupboard space and designed for the storage of small, possibly precious, objects. Also referred to a small room in the 16thC. in which precious articles and pictures were displayed. Only applied to furniture in the 17thC. Cabinet popularity increased in the restoration period and gave rise to the skilled practice of cabinet-making with elaborately veneered surfaces. Cabinet making is normally associated with the queen anne and georgian periods and is now generally applied to all case furniture.

 

cabinet-ware (cermic - porcelain - cups - saucers - plates)

Term used to refer to porcelain cups, saucers and plates manufactured for display rather than for practical use. Examples include early soft paste porcelain items made by chelsea in the 1700's that are not resistant to hot water but that display to a very high standard.

cabachon (gemstone -jewel cutting)

Term used to describe the faint banding of colour shades usually found in vegetable.

cabriole (furniture - style - decoration)

A curvaceous design seen mostly in furniture legs and based upon the shape of a wild goats hind leg. Usually a shallow 'S' curve with a broad lip and knee tapering to a slim concave leg below. Very popular possibly the cause of the mid-18thC period being known as the cabriole leg period. English and french cabriole legs have similar shapes but the french shape is usually much finer.

cache-pot (container - decorative)

The term used to refer to an ornamental container used to hold a pot containing a growing plant. Derived from the french cacher, 'to hide'.

cachou box (box - pill box - chatelaine)

A 19thC gold or silver box to hold cachous - pills for sweetening the breath. The boxes, which were made in Britain, are very small-1-2 in (25-50 mm) in length-with a hinged lid, and sometimes a ring attached for hanging from a chatelaine. The boxes are usually decorated with chasing or enamelling. Popular until c1910 and now highly collectable.

cadogan (ceramic - lidless teapot - rockingham)

A peach-shaped teapot without a removable cover and which is held upside down to be filled at the base. An internal tube leading up from the base ensures the contents do not spill when it is upright. Inspired by a Chinese wine pot, brought to Britain by the Hon Mrs Cadogan. First examples produced at rockingham in the late 19thC. then meissen, copeland, davenport and other Staffordshire potteries produced similar wares.

john cafe (metalware - silversmith - 1740-1757)

A London based silversmith best known for his candlesticks and snuffer trays. Succeeded by his brother William, who continued the production of candlesticks until 1772.

cage cup (glass - cup - diatreta)

A cast or blown, thick-walled glass blank carved in relief and then undercut, leaving decoration in the form of a net or cage still attached to the main body of the vessel. Also -- a form of cup known as a diatreta, and taking its name from the diatretarii, the original Roman glass decorators.

cagework (metalware - engraving)

The term used for a decorative, pierced or chased silver mount that encloses an inner, plain section of an object. The cagework technique probably originated in Germany, was used in Britain extensively on late 17thC tankards, beakers and twin-handled cups. Also -- A cagework box is a snuffbox comprised of plaques of various materials, such as agate or ivory, set in a pierced metal frame.

cailloute (ceramic - decorative motif - pebbled)

The term for porcelain decoration of a lacy network of oval and circle outlines, usually painted in gold. French for pebbled. Introduced by sevres in the mid-18thC, usually set against a rich dark blue background, and also seen on worcester, derby and swansea wares.

cairngorm (jewellery - gemstone - scottish - quartz)

A yellowish-brown to smoky yellow variety of quartz. The most important stone in Scottish jewellery. Originally discovered in the Cairngorm mountains, and much simulated in glass (detectable by gas bubbles), and now imitated by applying heat treatment to Brazilian amethysts.

calamander (wood - furniture - ebony )

A valuable furniture wood from India and Ceylon, of a hazel-brown color, with black stripes, very hard in texture. A species of ebony, obtained from the Diospyros qusesita. Also called Coromandel wood.

calcite glass (glass - art glass - frederick carder)

A creamy-white art glass developed by Frederick carder c1915 in the USA. Its translucency, achieved by adding bone ash to the molten glass. Particularly suitable for lampshades. Also used in conjunction with aurene glass, to make cameo glass.

calendar clock (clocks & watches - moon dial)

A clock with separate indications on the main dial, or with extra dials, for the phases of the moon, the day, month and the year. It is rare to find a year dial. Calendar information appeared on public clocks from the 14thC, and on domestic clocks from the 16thC.

calibre (militaria - rifle - bore )

The diameter of a gun barrel. The inner surface is the bore.

calico (textiles - cloth covering - cotton)

Plain weave cotton cloth first imported from Calicut, a port in the south-west of India, during the 17th and 18th centuries and later manufactured in Britain. Used, with painted or printed patterns, for soft furnishings and poular during the 18th and 19th centuries.

calotype (scientific - photography - daguerreotype)

The first negative-positive photography technique, pioneered in 1841 by British scientist William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877). The process allowed an infinite number of prints on paper to be made from a single paper negative. The calotype eventually superseded the daguerrotype.

cameo (jewellery - decorative arts - neoclassical)

A gemstone or shell cut to reveal a design in relief. Cameos were originally made from gemstones with different coloured layers to provide a contrasting background. Widespread in the roman era and during the italian renaissance and neoclassical periods. Shell cameos were carved with classical portraits and mythological scenes in Naples and Rome during the 19thC then exported to britain to be used as seals and jewellery.

cameo glass (glass - art glass - multi-layered portrait)

Cameo glass is a multi-layered glass on which a picture or portrait has been carved through the layers so that it stands out in relief from the surface, and the coloured layers form contrasts to the image. The simplest form of cameo glass has only two layers. Also -- cased glass and sulphides.

The word cameo actually applies to any carving in which the picture is raised above the surrounding surface; but in the glass world, it is only used for carving where there is more than one coloured layer to the glass. The surrounding glass may be cut away using hand tools, the oldest and most skilful method; or by using a cutting wheel, or with hydrofluoric acid (which eats away glass).

There are three sources for the highest quality cameo glass:

1. Roman cameo glass made two thousand years ago by artisans using hand tools. The famous Portland Vase is an example.
2. English cameo glass made from the mid 19th century by artists such as John Northwood and George Woodall (their copy of the Portland Vase is a superb example).
3. French cameo glass made from the late 19th century until the second world war by artists such as Emile Galle, the Daums, and Muller Freres.

There was also a small amount of cameo glass made by other manufacturers, including Steuben and Tiffany in the USA.
Also -- Peking cameo glass from China predates the European production and was produced from the 18th century.

camera obscura (scientific - photographic instrument)

A dark box with a small opening or lens through which the image of an object is projected and focused onto a facing surface. The device was used by 17th to 19thC artists to produce accurate paintings and drawings.

campaign furniture (furniture - portable - military)

18th and 19thC portable furniture, including washstands, writing chests, chests of drawers, beds and chairs, for military use. Usually of mahogany or teak, with brass fittings and removable feet. Chests would be made in halves and other pieces could unscrew in order that they could be stacked flat for travelling.

campana (ceramic - bell shaped - vase or vessel)

An inverted bell-shape vessel or vase seen in ceramics and metalware since classical times. Popular in the early 19thC.

canape (furniture - settee - french )

The french term for a settee used in the late 17thC. Normally upholstered with some of the wooden structure, such as the top rail or apron, left exposed.

cancellation mark (ceramic - seconds - sub-standard)

The means of marking ceramic products that are sub-standard seconds or part of a discontinued range, by painting or scratching one or two strokes over the original factory mark. Meissen, had a range of cancellation marks to denote whether a piece was to be sold in-the-white, unglazed, or rejected.

candelabrum (silver - candelabra - candlestick)

The branched form of a candlestick, normally made as a pair, candelabra, and used in britain and europe since the middle ages.

candle slide (furniture - desks - candle support)

The small wooden support for a candlestick, occasionally found on 18thC desks, tables and bureau cabinets, which slides into a built-in recess when not in use.

candle stand (furniture - decorative stand or support)

See torchere.

candlestick (furniture - light - candle holder)

Utensil for holding a single candle, used in Europe from the 10thC or earlier..

cane (furniture - rattan - canework - paperweights)

The woven fibrous strips from the stems of a group of palms known as rattans, which are used in furniture. Canework came to Europe from China via the Dutch East India Company trade in the 17thC. It was popular in Europe in the second half of the 17th, and again from the end of the 18thC. The Chinese wove the outer fibres of the trees into very fine-meshed, silk-like, opaque panels. The Europeans used wider strips of cane, resulting in a light, straw-coloured, open mesh, usually with octagonal holes. Cane is a reasonably cheap material, strong yet light in weight and elastic. In the 19thC the coarser strips of the rattan palms were used in the production of basketwork furniture.

 

Also -- A stick of glass, sometimes multicoloured, made by arranging coloured lengths or rods of glass in a bundle, melting then marvering (rolling) them in clear glass to form a cane. The cane is then reheated and drawn out until it is ½ in (3-13 mm) in diameter. When cool, the cane can be sliced into thin crosswise sections to form the millefiore effect commonly seen in paperweights and mosaic glass. Canes can also be combined with twists in drinking-glass stems.

caneware (ceramics - stoneware - wedwood)

Cream to light brown fine stoneware developed by Josiah wedgwood from the 1770s, sometimes decorated with bright blue, green and red enamel colours. Caneware vessels were moulded to simulate lengths of bamboo lashed together.

canted (furniture - decorative edge)

An obliquely angled, chamfered or bevelled edge.

canteen (metalware - cutlery container)

Set of domestic tableware or cutlery in a fitted wooden case with a hinged lid and often with two or three drawers. There are usually 6 to 12 place settings. The first canteens were portable cases carrying the eating implements of 17thC travellers and military officers.

canterbury (furniture - storage box for music)

A music canterbury, originally designed in the late 18thC, is a wooden stand divided by rails into sections for storing sheet music. Some examples have a drawer or drawers fitted underneath the top rails.

 

Also - A supper canterbury is a low wooden trolley used in the 18thC for cutlery and plates - similar to a deep partitioned tray on legs

cantilever chair (furniture - chair - barcelona chair)

A chair made using the cantilever principle, in which the load is supported only at one end. Mart stam's 1920s tubular-steel prototype combined strength and lightness, but its shape was so new -the seat appeared to be floating in midair - that the public were afraid to sit on it. More commercially successful examples were produced a few years later by designers Ludwig mies van der rohe and Marcel breuer..

canton (ceramics - chinese - guangzhou)

Chinese export porcelain decorated in Canton (Guangzhou). In Europe, Canton generally applies to 19thC Chinese porcelain decorated with panels of flowers and scenes with figures on a gilt and green scrolled ground.

 

Also - Canton's enamelling workshops produced enamel-painted copper known as Canton enamel. The Chinese acquired enamelling techniques from Europe in the 18thC and developed their own distinctive products, almost entirely for export, decorated particularly in famille- rose and famille-verte colours.

 

Also - In the USA, the term is used to describe porcelain decorated with UNDERGLAZE-blue landscapes similar to the British willow pattern, which was exported from the Chinese port, late 18th and early 19th centuries.

capacity marks (weights & measures - quantity marks)

Marks, also known as standard or excise marks, found on measures used in public markets and taverns for the sale of both dry and wet goods, such as grain, wine or ale. Originally there were many different local standards, but these were standardised in England in 1826. Scotland retained its own system into the 19thC

cap and ball (militaria - percussion firearm)

See percussion lock.

capstan table (furniture - table)

See drum table.

carat (gemstone weight - precious metal fineness)

A Unit for measuring the weight of gemstones, including diamonds and pearls. It was standardised in 1914 as one-fifth of a gram (200 mg), equivalent to 3.086 grains.

 

Also - Measure of the fineness of gold, based on 24 units. A 22 carat gold piece is an alloy of 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts another metal, such as silver.

carbine (militaria - musket - rifle - cavalry)

A firearm similar to a musket or rifle but usually with a shorter barrel and firing range and commonly carried by cavalry.

carboy (glass - pharmacy bottle)

Large bottle used for storing liquids such as acids or for display purposes in pharmacies. The body of the vessel is often bulbous with a long, narrow neck and matching stopper. Carboys were usually made of clear glass in order to show the colour of the liquid inside.

carbuncle (gemstone - garnet)

See garnet.

carcass (furniture - body)

The main body of a piece of case furniture, before doors, drawers or shelves are added, and onto which veneers are laid.

card table (furniture - games table)

A table which has four hinged triangular pieces that open out to form a square, lined playing surface, often decorated with marquetry.

frederick carder (glass - designer - steuben glassworks)

(1864-1963) British glass designer who (1880-1903) worked for stevens & williams. He moved to the USA, where he co-founded the steuben glassworks. Here, inspired by the art nouveau movement, he experimented with coloured glass, various finishes and the lost-wax process.

michael cardew (ceramics - bernard leach - St. Ives)

(1901-82) A key figure in 20thC British art pottery, who trained with Bernard leach at St Ives in the 1920s. He left to start his own pottery at Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, where he made everyday items such as bowls and cider jugs, in slip-decorated, lead-glazed earthenware. Unlike Leach, his work followed English rather than Japanese pottery traditions. A period in West Africa from 1942 marked a change to stoneware, African motifs and deep blue and green glazes highlighted by orange-brown brushwork decoration.

carillon (clocks & watches - bells )

A series of bells rung either mechanically or manually. Mechanical carillons have been used in domestic and public clocks since the 14thC to strike the hours or play leys in musical clocks.

carlton house desk (furniture - writing table - prince of wales)

A writing table with a low superstructure and drawers at the back and sides of the writing space. The name derives from the original design made for the Prince of Wales's bedroom at his London residence, Carlton House.

carlton ware (ceramic - manufacturer - wiltshaw & robinson)

Earthenware and porcelain produced from c. 1890 at Carlton Works, Staffordshire, which traded as Wiltshaw & Robinson. The pottery is known in particular for producing art deco ornamental ware such as porcelain vases with enamelled and gilded decoration and lustre wall masks, vases and plaques painted in delicate pastel shades. The pottery also produced crested ware, coffee sets and cruets.

carnet de bal (decorative - ivory - dancing cards)

Ivory leaves in a decorative case on which the names dancing partners were inscribed in pencil in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tablettes are similar, but the leaves can be removed from the case.

carnival glass (glass - pressed - irridescent)

Cheap pressed glass in a highly iridescent finish, produced mainly in the USA from 1908-1924. So called because it was given as prizes at carnivals and fairs. see carnival glass

carolean (furniture - Charles I)

Style of furniture made during the reign of the British king Charles I (1625-49). The term is sometimes misleadingly used for Restoration style, dating from Charles II’s restoration to the throne in 1660.

alwyn charles elison carr (metalware - silver - omar ramsden)

See omar ramsden.

carriage clock (clocks & watches - mobile - portable)

The first truly portable type of clock produced in large numbers, developed from coach watches and small portable table clocks. They have a spring-balance escapement, a glazed rectangular brass case, and a carrying handle. Heights range from 3 in (76 mm) to 8½ in (21 cm). Carriage clocks were introduced by French clock-maker Abraham-Louis breguet c. 1796. Over 90 per cent of them were produced in France, particularly during the height of their fashion, 1850-1914. The limited numbers made in Britain are generally larger and of higher quality than standard French versions, and have chain-FUSEE movements, while the French clocks have spring going-BARRELS.

carte figure (decorative - maps - figural)

Map incorporating decorative and informative details such as an ornamental border with.town views or inset pictures of local traditional costume. The style was at its height in the 17thC.

carte-de-visite (photography - portrait - adolphe eugene disderi)

Portrait photograph, usually full length, but occasionally head and shoulders, mounted on a small card with the photographer's credit on the reverse. The idea was patented by French photographer Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri in 1854. He used a special camera containing a number of lenses; several poses could be achieved on a single negative. Cartes-de-visite were mass-produced during the mid- 19thC.

cartel clock (clocks & watches - neo-classical - spring driven)

Spring-driven wall clock set in an ornate, Rococo or neo-classical style frame or case. Produced in France, Germany, Austria and Italy c.1735-1900. Giltwood versions were also made in Britain .c. 1750-1800, often with a false pendulum in the dial.

carter stabler adams (ceramics - designer - poole pottery)

See poole pottery.

cartier (jewellery - manufacturer - art deco)

French jewellery firm founded in Paris in 1847. Cartier at first specialised in enamelled gold set with gemstones, but is perhaps best known for its art deco jewellery and watches. Cartier introduced the first wristwatch in 1904 of the round-cornered square design still seen today.

cartonnier (furniture - cupboard - paper compartment)

A piece of furniture fitted with compartments to hold papers, either freestanding with a cupboard below and clock on top, or an accessory for placing on a desk.

cartoon (textiles - tapestry - petit patron)

The full-scale, preparatory design - either drawn or painted - for a tapestry, painting or mosaic. A small sketch, which is enlarged to make a cartoon, is known as a petit patron.

cartouche (decorative - section of silver or ceramic - shield)

A decorative detail or object suggestive of a sheet of paper with scrolled edges. In ceramics or silverware, it may take the form of an oval or shield with a decorative feature or inscription, and a scrolled frame, and in furniture a tablet shape with curled edges. Cartouche borders are seen on old maps and prints.

carver (furniture - chair)

An elbow chair - a chair with arms as part of a set of armless or single dining chairs.

carving (furniture - decoration)

The skill of the woodcarver in furniture-making, as opposed to that of the carpenter, cabinet-maker or joiner. The craft gained greater status from the late 17thC until the later part of the 18thC; it became highly specialised particularly for cabinet stands, candelabra, mirror frames and console tables, which might then be gilded.

cassolette
Glass or ceramic vase usually one of a pair, with a reversible lid. The inverted lid serving as a candle holder.

Also - Ornate, late 18thC pastille burner like a small brazier on a stand and made of bronze or gilt metal. (see athenienne)

caudle cup
Small, covered, one or two-handled cup with a saucer used for caudle, a spiced gruel of eggs, bread or oatmeal, and wine or ale. Usually intended for invalids or nursing mothers, the cups were made of silver or pottery, principally in the late 18th and early 18th centuries.

Sir William Chambers (1726-96)
neoclassical architect and furniture designer, and, with Robert Adam, joint architect to King George III. Chambers was the first British architect to visit China, and as a consequence his chinoiserie work had a more authentic feel to it than much of that popular in the mid-18thC.

chenille
A soft, tufted cord of silk, cotton or woollen yarn used in embroidery or for fringing fabrics.

Also - Any fabric made of chenille cord and, more generally, any of various imitation velvets produced from the 19thC. These include chenille axminster carpets, which are large velvet-like carpets made using a two-loom weaving process at the axminster carpet factory.

chimera
Decorative motif, seen in the 18th and 19th centuries, which originated in Classical mythology. It combines the features of a winged goat or lion with a serpent's tail.