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The antique
marks glossary - antique terms e covering everything from eames
to etui and earthenware to enamel.
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Below you will find antique related words or antique terms
beginning with 'e' covering everything from eames to etui and
many more that you might find useful.
The list is not exhaustive but we will add to it as time goes by.
The descriptions detailed are only intended to be relevant to how
the word or term relates to antiques and although the same word
may have other meanings in other contexts, we have not and do not
intend to detail those meanings here. In some instances we have
included pictures to enhance the meaning of the word or term and
we have also indexed each word in order that you may link to the
explanation when the word or term appears in other pages on the
site.
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Architect and furniture designer who alongwith eero saarinen,
explored the potential of new materials such as plywood, aluminium
and steel. Developed his knowledge of plywood moulding during
the second world war, and later used the technique to create
furniture, chairs tables, screens and storage units, that were
fluid, light and strong.
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A
product made form clay that is only fired to the paint at which
the particles form a single mass but do not vitrify into a glassy,
impermeable substance. The resulting body is porous and a glaze
is required to make it waterproof. Becasuse of the low firing
temperatures glazes earthenware can take a wide range of metal
oxide colouring agents and is often brightly decorated.
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A group of western trading companies that opened up trade with
the far east countries, including India and china in the 15thC.
The portuguese were the first europeans to start the long distance
trade, followed by the british, french, dutch and then the USA.
The british east india company, was set up in 1601 to trade
for spices and flourished for more than 200 years, by importing
and exporting furniture, carpets, silk, embroidery and porcelain.
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Architect and furniture designer associated with the art furniture
movement c1870 to 1890.
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The
american dry plate camera manufacturer who introduced the Kodak
camera in 1888, It was the first camera designed to use a flexible
roll film. The film was a roll of paper coated with a light
sensitive emulsion.
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A
french cabinet maker who specialised in veneering. A technique
known in ancient civilisations and revived in the early 17thC.
The word ebenist was coined as most of the 17thC. French furniture
used an ebony veneer.
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A
hard black material produced by heating rubber with sulphur.
Used to simulate jet in jewellery and for some early fountain
pens. Also know as vulcanite.
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ebony
(glass - art glass - nancy france)
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A close textured hardwood which is black in colour. Ebony is
resistant to decay although, it is brittle. From the 17thC in
Britain it was thinly cut as a veneer and used for banding and
inlay decoration. Other woods such as fruitwoods were stained
black or ebonised to imitate ebony and are much more common
than the real thing. Coromandel is similar in colour and weight
but it is mottled grey or brown or striped with black and yellow.
Calamander is a light brown ebony mottled and striped with black
that was popular for regency veneers and banding.
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ecuelle
(ceramic – silver –
porringer )
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The french term for a late 17th and 18th century lidded bowl
with two handles made in silver, pewter or ceramic. Generally
used for serving soup. Porringer in english. Silver versions
are sometimes known as equelles.
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A non-profit workshop established in 1912, which until 1940
produced large commissioned tapestry scenes. After 1946 smaller
coarser weave panels designed by contemporary artists were more
typical. Also known as the dovecot studios or dovecot tapestries.
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An arts and crafts movement furniture designer and in 1881 the
author of the influential publication ‘The decoration
and furniture of town houses’.
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A prosperous period in japanese history when the arts flourished
and edo (now tokyo) became the new capital city.
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A glass.
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A fragile and extremely delicate chinese porcelain from the
early 18thC. It was later produced by irish belleek porcelain
and the japanese kutani factories in the late 19th and early
20th centuries.
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A
fine black stoneware produced in staffordshire from c1710, that
could be polished to a shine. Wedgwood basalte ware is more
refined.
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A
hard black material produced by heating rubber with sulphur.
Used to simulate jet in jewellery and for some early fountain
pens. Also know as vulcanite.
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Egyptian architecture, symbols and hieroglyphics proved popular
after napoleons invasion of Egypt in 1797, and were incorporated
into the work of neo-classical designers and architects as decorative
motifs. The early 19thC furniture designs of english designer
and collector thomas hope helped introduce egyptian taste to
Britain.
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Clocks that are driven by electricity. First produced in britain
by alexander bain in the 1840’s, the clocks fall have
three main categories; -- free pendulum clocks in which the
pendulum receives an electric impulse to maintain momemtum;
-- clocks with automatic rewinding powered by a small electric
motor; -- synchronous clocks, regulated by the alternating current
of mains electricity.
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A form of decoration applied to meatlware.
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The method of plating metal by an electrolytic process. The
best known of which are those of silver and chromium. Silver
plating replaced the sheffield plate process in the mid-19thC.
The process was first patented in sheffield in 1840 and nickel
silver was soon found to be the most successful base for electroplating;
and should be marked EPNS (electro plated nickel silver). Copper
and britannia metal (EPBM) were also used. Unlike sheffield
plate the silver deposited in the electroplating process is
free of all impurities and the end product is a colder, less
mellow metallic colour.
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A method of decorating by cutting fine lines or dots into a
glass, metal or other hard surface .
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In
acid engraving or acid etching,
the subject to be decorated is coated with an acid-resistant
wax, varnish or gum, and the design incised through this with
a fine steel point. Alternatively, areas to remain in relief
are coated with the acid-resistant substance, leaving the background
exposed. The object is immersed in acid which 'eats away' the
exposed areas. Depth and texture are achieved by adjusting the
time of exposure to the acid. The process was used to decorate
late 15thC armour, and from the 16thC, mainly developed as a
printing process. See cameo glass.
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Diamond-point
engraving involves using a diamond point to scratch a design
on a glass surface. The technique was developed in 16thC Venice,
but gradually spread throughout Europe. It is seen mainly on
cristallo and flint glass - often for calligraphy
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Stipple
engraving was developed in 17thC Holland. A diamond-pointed
tool is tapped against the surface, resulting in dots of varying
density. The patterns thus created show great subtleties of
light and shade
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Wheel
engraving is believed to date from c. 1500 bc, but the technique
flourished in Europe from the 16thC. The surface to be decorated
is held over a treadle-operated rotating wheel fitted with an
abrasive disc and a pattern is ground into the surface. The
method can create shallow surface engraving, or deeper cameo
and intaglio effects.
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Also
- A print made from an inked steel or copper plate into which
a design has been cut.
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Noted
engravers include:
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Jacopo
de' Barbari (1500-1515)
William Blake (1757 - 1827)
Giulio Campagnola active (1505-1515 )
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)
Master ES (1450-1470)
Maso Finiguerra (1426-1464)
Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617)
William Hogarth (1697 – 1764)
Lucas van Leyden
Andrea Mantegna
Claude Mellan (1598-1688)
Israhel van Meckenem d.1501
Matthäus Merian (1593 - 1650)
Paul Revere
Jan Saenredam (1565-1607)
Bertil Schmüll
Martin Schöngauer (1450-1491)
Czeslaw Slania
Maerten de Vos (1532-1603)
Anthonie Wierix (1552-1624)
Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619)
Hristofor Zhefarovich (unknown-1753)
Gustave Doré (1832 – 1883)
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escapement
(clocks and watches - movement - mechanism)
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Part of the mechanism in a clock or watch that controls the
driving force (either a weight or a spring) and allows it to
'escape' at regular intervals. This counteracts the tendencies
of both an unchecked weight to accelerate and a spring to weaken
on unwinding.
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verge escapement was introduced with the first mechanical
clocks. It was originally used with an oscillating bar or foliot
with weights at either end, and after the introduction of portable
clocks and watches c. 1520, with a balance wheel.
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The
anchor or recoil escapement, invented c. 1670, operates
in association with a pendulum; it replaced the verge escapement
in longcase clocks some 15 years after their introduction, but
was not used in bracket clocks until c. 1800. The motion of
a seconds hand linked to an anchor escapement is characterised
by a very slight backward movement (or recoil) after each forward
movement.
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The
deadbeat escapement, in use by 1715, was also for pendulum
clocks. It evolved from the anchor escapement, but the seconds
hand stops dead after each forward motion.
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The
lever escapement, an adaptation of the deadbeat invented
in 1754, is used with a balance wheel. From c1820 it was used
increasingly for watches and carriage clocks.
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The
duplex escapement, also for balance-wheel mechanisms,
has either two escape wheels or, more often, a single escape
wheel with two sets of teeth. It was perfected c.1750 and used
for high-grade watches and carriage clocks 1750-1850.
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The
detent or chronometer escapement is used with a balance
wheel, and incorporates a detent, or locking device, of either
spring or pivoted form, which alternately locks and unlocks
the escape wheel. Developed from the mid- 18thC and widely used
in the 19thC, it proved one of the most accurate escapements
of all.
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electroplating
(metalware - decoration - silver)
The method of plating metal by an electrolytic process. The best known
electroplated articles are those of silver and chromium. The former
replaced the sheffield plate process in the mid-19thC. The process
was first patented in Sheffield in 1840. nickel silver was soon found
to be the most successful base for electroplating; it may be marked
EPNS (electroplated nickel silver). Copper and britannia metal (EPBM)
were also used. Unlike Sheffield plate, the silver deposited in the
electroplating process is free of all impurities, and the end products
tend to be a colder, less mellow metallic colour. |
electrotyping
(metalware - decoration - silver)
A refinement of the electroplating process in which silver-plated
articles are reproduced from moulds. A mould is used as one of the
electrodes in an electroplating vat, and by electrolysis is lined
- more thickly than in straightforward electroplating - with the silver.
The mould is then freed to leave a hollow shell in the shape of the
finished article. Introduced in 1843, electro-typing was expensive
but accurate, good for making exact copies of complex metalwork and
prompting a mid- 19thC interest in naturalistic decoration on silverware.
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john
and david elers (metalware - silversmiths - 1686-1700)
Dutch brothers trained as silversmiths, who came to Britain c. 1688
and made a significant impact on the development of British ceramics.
They worked with John dwight at his Fulham potteries in London (1690-3)
and then moved to Staffordshire to set up their own business. The
combination of the Dwight influence and the Elers' own expertise helped
to establish Staffordshire's unique place in history as an important
international ceramics centre. The Elers specialised in fine red stoneware
decorated with relief patterns in white, which was much imitated by
other factories |
elkington
(metalware - manufacturer - silver)
Birmingham-based metalworking firm, whose proprietor George Elkington
(1801-65) patented the first silver electroplating process in 1840.
From then on, the firm concentrated on electroplating and electrotyping,
leasing out the patent to other silversmiths, and on producing tableware
and presentation pieces by Christopher dresser and other designers.
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john
ellicot (clocks and watches - clockmaker - 1706-72)
Master clock-maker to King George III, who developed a form of compensated
pendulum and improved the cylinder escapement. His father and his
son, both called John, were also notable clock-makers in their own
right. |
elm
(wood - country furniture)
English elm is a hard and flexible wood, light golden-brown in colour
and with a coarse, irregular grain. It has a tendency to warp and
is prone to worm. The timber was often used in country furniture.
The wych elm or Scotch elm is harder than the English variety, with
a straighter, finer grain and it takes a good polish |
eltonware
(cermaics - edmund elton - aesthetic)
Pottery produced from 1881 by English art potter Sir Edmund Elton
(1846-1940) at his family home in Somerset. Elton, a follower of the
aesthetic movement, was influenced by Far Eastern, South American
and European art. Decorative Eltonware vases, jugs and bowls use various
coloured slips and lustre, lead, metallic or monochrome glazes. |
embossing
(decoration - leather - silver)
The means of producing a relief design, on metal or leather for example,
by hammering on the reverse side of the material. Objects such as
pots and tankards are embossed with a long-handled, dome-headed snarling-iron.
On silverware, embossing is used for the basic, large-scale relief
shapes in a design, and finer detail is added by repousse and chasing
techniques . |
emerald
(gemstone - green)
One of the rarest and most valuable precious stones, depending on
highly variable quality. Emeralds range in colour from pale to dark
green, the most valuable being dark green with brilliance and clarity.
Flawless stones are extremely rare. |
empire
style (period - style)
see antique periods |
enamel
(decoration - powdered glass -
A smooth, glassy, protective or decorative medium that can be fused
onto a metal, glass or ceramic surface by firing.
Enamel
colours are made out of powdered glass and pigmented metallic
oxides such as gold, copper and manganese suspended in an oily
medium. This can be painted onto glass or ceramic objects, and
during firing, the oily medium burns away and the other materials
fuse together.
In
enamelware, coloured enamel pastes are applied to a metal body
by various techniques and then fired.
basse-taille (low relief) enamelling, First introduced
in 14th century Italy. A cut relief, a design cut into a metal
plate at various depths, is filled with translucent enamel, creating
a 3-dimensional effect. The deeper the reservoir cut in the metal,
the darker the color, with nearly transparent color possible in
very shallow cuts. This technique allows for very subtle shading.
champleve
enamelling, is similar to cloisonne in that the enamel is applied
to discrete cells separated by metal. However, in Champleve enamelling,
cells or troughs are carved into or cut away from the metal base,
leaving a raised metal line between the cells which forms the
outline of a design.The cells are then filled with molten or powdered
glass and kiln fired
cloisonne enamelling is accomplished by adding
thin metal strips or wire to the surface of a metal object to
create small cells (cloisons). These cells are either filled with
molten glass or with powdered glass that is kiln fired. This technique
was developed in Egypt before 1800 BC, although the name cloisonne
was not applied until the eighteenth century. Cloisonne enamel
is the easiest of all types of techniques to identify, as the
metal wires are easily recognised
painted
enamel: In which two or more colors of enamel are painted
on top of one another. (The black, white and grey version of this
technique is called grisaille). This style of enamelling was first
popularized about 1600. Although the white base enamel for this
type of work is a true vitreous enamel, the subsequent layers
of color are raw oxides or metal mixtures.
guilloche:
In this form of enamelling, the metal surface is engraved with
intricate circular patterns or waved lines. Translucent enamel
covers this engine turning and creates a beautiful effect with
dark and light lines caused by the varied depths of the plain
and engraved surfaces. Very popular in Victorian and Edwardian
jewelry, Guilloche enamelled pieces are easy to identify by the
wavy lines usually seen under the glassy surface. The enamel is
frequently further decorated with designs (especially floral motifs)
painted on the surface.
plique
a jour: Probably the most difficult of all enamel types
to master. Plique a jour enamel begins with a lattice or framework
of wires similar to that used in closoinne, but with no metal
background attached. When filled with transparent or translucent
enamel, the finished object resembles stained glass. This enamelling
technique was used frequently by the most skilled jewelers and
enamellists of the Art Nouveau period.
cold
enamels: Resins, plastics, or paints may be applied to
jewelry and decorative objects to produce an enamelled effect,
but they share none of the techniques or composition of vitreous
enamel. They create a lot of color for a minimal cost, but, materials
are less durable than true enamel. Because they require less skill
and expense than glass enamel, they have traditionally been used
on costume jewelry, including some sterling silver pieces.
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engine-turning
(meatlware - decoration)
Engraved decoration on metal and other materials, of circles, waves
or narrow grooves, produced on a lathe. |
ensi
(carpets - turkoman - rugs)
Small squarish rugs woven by several of the nomadic Turkoman tribes
of central Asia to cover the tent entrance. Many have a cruciform
design and are wrongly referred to as hatchli (cross) rugs. |
entre
dish (meatlware - silver - serving dish)
Shallow silver or sheffield plate serving dish with or without a cover,
made in Britain from c.1760. |
epaulette
(militaria - shoulder strap)
Military shoulder strap often fringed with gold braid. |
epergne
(centrepiece - silver - glass)
An elaborate stand, usually of silver or glass, for the centre of
the dining table with branching arms supporting removable receptacles,
such as fruit or sweetmeat dishes and condiment holders. Epergnes
came to Britain from France c. 1715; the name is from the French épargner
(to save), the idea being that dinner guests were saved the trouble
of passing dishes. |
erinoid
(plastic - tortoiseshell)
Type of plastic designed to imitate tortoiseshell and used to make
fashion accessories such as hair clips in the early 1900s. |
rebeccah
ernes (silversmith - london - 1808-29)
London-based silversmith who worked in partnership with her brother-in-law,
William Ernes. Following his death in 1808, she formed a partnership
with her business manager, Edward Barnard, and went on to produce
numerous items including tea and coffee services, epergnes and tankards.
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escutcheon
(metalware - decoration - clock)
A term for a carved shield on a pediment.
Also
- any protective metal plate on furniture, particularly a keyhole
plate.
Also
- A small metal name plate on a clock face or a firearm.
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estampille
(furniture - makers mark)
Maker's mark - name, initials or monogram - stamped on French furniture
particularly during the second half of the 18thC. The mark was struck
with an iron stamp and appears in intaglio. |
etruscan
style (period - style - neoclassical)
A late 18thC offshoot of neoclassicism introduced by architect-designer
Robert Adam, c1774.
Many
of Adam's designs were ostensibly based on the architecture, art
and ornament of the ancient Italian country of Etruria (now Tuscany
and Umbria). The use of boldly contrasting black, white and terracotta
was typical of his interiors but the colour scheme was in fact
taken from Greek pottery.
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ewer
(cermica - metalware - serving jug)
Large serving jug made of precious or base metals or ceramics. Ewer-and-basin
sets were used for hand-washing at the dining table,but less common
after the arrival of table forks in the late 16thC |
exergue
(coins - date area)
The area sometimes left free below the design on a circular coin,
often used for the date, artist's initials or a small design feature.
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exeter
carpets (carpets - turkish knot)
Woollen carpets made in Exeter, Devon, in the mid-18thC using Turkish
knot.
Exeter
carpets were among the earliest to be made in Britain, their elaborate
designs based on Savonnerie patterns, with Rococo scrolls, floral
motifs and foliage.
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exposition
internaionale des arts decoratif (exhibition
- art deco)
An exhibition held in Paris, in 1925, which played a major role
in establishing art deco style. It was
a French dominated showcase for all fields of the decorative arts. |
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