Glossary

Peppered with unusual terms and descriptive phrases, the language of the antiques world is colourful to say the least. With our handy glossary, you'll soon be able to distinguish your maiolica from majolica and your chinoiserie from cloisonne.

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Click one of the letters above to be taken to a page of all terms beginning with that letter.
f
Façon de Venise
Term used to describe Venetian-style glass made in other parts of Europe, notably England, Holland and Germany during the late 16th and 17th centuries.
Fairings
Small, brightly painted figure groups in porcelain, mass-produced in Germany for the British market in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Famille Rose
Literally ‘pink family’. Chinese porcelain made for export to Europe and decorated in a palette where predominant colour is pink. Terms also exist for mainly green (famille verte), yellow (famille jaune) and black (famille noir) wares.
Flatbacks
Pottery figure groups. Mainly 19th century Staffordshire with flat, undecorated backs, made to stand against a wall.
Flatware
In metalwork terms, this means cutlery.
Forest glass
Primitive glass made using the ashes of burnt wood and ferns to provide the alkaline content. Produced in European glass houses in medieval times and later.
Frieze
The framework immediately below the a table top.