The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Patera

Top of a George III tulipwood and sycamore marquetry commode with inlaid oval fan patera decoration Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We continue our journey through the ABCs of the decorative arts today with a term that often appears in our description of antiques: patera. Patera is an architectural term for a circular or oval ornament …

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The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Ormolu

Today's journey through the ABCs of decorative arts brings us to a close look at ormolu.  Ormolu, from the French or moulu, signifying ground gold, refers to a technique of gilding bronze mounts for furniture, clocks, candelabra and objects that was used throughout the eighteenth and into the nineteenth centuries. The process of gilding a …

The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Needlework

We are officially half of the way through our alphabetic tour of the decorative arts.  What better way to kick off the back half of the alphabet than with a great topic: needlework. The term needlework applies to handicraft that incorporates decorative sewing and textile arts.  Medieval needlework in the form of embroidery was often …

The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Marquetry

It is hard to believe that today's post brings us halfway through our alphabetical tour of the decorative arts.  We will take a close look at one of the quintessential decorative styles of Georgian furniture: marquetry.  Marquetry is the term for inlaid work made from small pieces of wood or other materials to decorate the …

The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Libraries

Our alphabetic tour of the decorative arts continues today with one of the most classic and historied interiors within the home: the library.  Today our focus is on the room known as the library (rather than the collection of books itself), which is a space of great importance and with a rich cultural history.  We …

The ABCs of the Decorative Arts: Kneehole Desks

We continue our alphabetical tour of the decorative arts with the kneehole desk today.  This particular style of desk first appeared in England in the early 18th century.  The kneehole desk is defined by its 'kneehole' in the centre allowing the desk's user to comfortably sit with his or her legs underneath the writing surface.  …

The ABCs of the Decorative Arts: Inigo Jones

Our next stop on the alphabetic tour through the decorative arts takes us to one of the most celebrated architects of all times, Inigo Jones.  He was the most notable architect in England and was the first person to introduce the architecture of Rome and the Italian Renaissance to Britain. Jones was born in Smithfield …

Happy Birthday to… Us! One Year of Blogging

Today marks the one year anniversary since we started this blog, The Source: Antiques & Their Interiors.  Our first post on February 7, 2017 entitled 'Blue John or Black Jack?' looked at the history of the curious material blue john and its use in English antiques. Since then, we have aimed to provide interesting, useful, and occasionally …

The ABCs of the Decorative Arts: Imbrication

Our next stop on the alphabet of the decorative arts is imbrication.  Although this word may be unfamiliar now, you will soon start spotting this decorative feature everywhere.  Imbrication is decorative style featuring overlapping patterns, such as tiles on a roof or scales.  The word comes from the Latin imbricare 'to cover with tiles.'   The style first …

The ABCs of the Decorative Arts: Hotspur Antiques

Our adventure through the ABCs of the decorative arts continues today with a name familiar to anyone in antiques: Hotspur Antiques.  Hotspur was established in 1924 by Frederick Kern.  A history lover, Kern named the business after the character in Shakespeare's play Henry IV.  The family run business saw three generations of highly esteemed directors, …