The Art Nouveau style is a naturalistic style characterized by intricately detailed patterns and curving lines.
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Appearance
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Heavily Ornamented – Elaborate ornamentation.(Art Nouveau style shown) |
Chair Arms
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Curved – Arms curved outward. |
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Outward Flare – Arms have slight outward curve. |
Chair Back Material
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Upholstered – Cushioned and fabric covered. |
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Wood – Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats. |
Chair Back Shape
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Balloon – Balloon-shaped chair back, rounded at the top and tapering to the seat. |
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Bentwood – Curved pieces of wood. |
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Top Rail – Simple, flat horizontal top rail. |
Chair Leg
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Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg. |
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Square – Flat surfaced leg on all sides. |
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Straight – Straight leg, vertical to chair seat. |
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Tapered – Straight leg gradually decreasing in width. |
Chair Seat Material
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Cane – Woven rattan. |
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Upholstered – Cushioned and covered with fabric. |
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Wood – Various types of wood. |
Chair Seat Shape
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Curved – Circular or rounded seat. |
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Horseshoe – Horseshoe shaped seat with a rounded front. |
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Square – Square shaped seat. |
Drawer Pull
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Rectangular Plate with Bail – Rectangular back plate of solid stamped brass, often with canted corners and an oval bail handle. The size varies from 3 to 4 inches wide to 2 to 2.5 inches high. |
Fabric
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Brocade – Rich, heavily woven fabric with a raised design, often with gold or silver thread. |
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Damask – Medium weight, glossy fabric with a reversible pattern and a figured intricate weave, often of linen, cotton, silk, or wool. |
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Leather – Material made from the tanning of animal hides. |
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Linen – Fabric made from the fiber of the flax plant. |
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Mohair – Fabric made from the angora goat. |
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Tapestry – Heavy weight fabric with decorative designs. |
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Velvet – Woven pile fabric that is soft and sturdy, often made of silk with blends of cotton, nylon, and rayon. |
Finish
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Lacquer – Tough, adherent finish which can be clear or pigmented. |
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Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood. |
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Paint – Opaque, pigmented finish that obscures the grain of the wood. |
Foot
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Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot. |
Hardware Material
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Brass – Yellowish metal made from copper and zinc. |
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Chrome – Grayish-white metal made from chromium. |
Joint
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Dovetail – An interlocking wood joint in which a series of wedge-shaped projections fits into a series of alternating grooves. |
Line
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Cyma or S-Curve – S-shaped curve, partly concave and partly convex. |
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Slight Curve – Gently curving lines. |
Motif
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Floral – Flowers. |
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Foliage – Leaves or vines. |
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Tulip – Cup-shaped flower. |
Ornamentation
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Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Inlay – Contrasting material set into the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Marquetry – Combinations of veneer used to create pictures or patterns. |
Proportion
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Medium – Moderate dimensions.(Queen Anne style shown) |
Underbracing
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Moderate – Moderately proportioned stretchers.(William and Mary style shown) |
Wood
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Beech – Light brown American hardwood with a flecked grain. |
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Black Walnut – Dark brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures. |
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Mahogany – Red-brown South American and African hardwood. |
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Oak – Gray-brown American hardwood. |