Describing Antique Furniture Correctly — Examples of English & French Terms

Working as an appraiser, I spend a fair amount of time conducting market research into antiques, including 18th and 19th century European furniture. When looking for similar examples in the marketplace, I frequently notice the misnomer of a furniture form for the region or period in which it was made.

Of course, the wrong name is by no means the end of the world, but there is that je ne sais quoi feeling when you find that perfect word to identify a specific object.

When looking at French style furniture, I recommend describing the piece using its French name and similarly employ the English name for the English version. Do you worry about being too esoteric? Then consider adding a basic object type in your description so your readers feel comfortable in knowing what’s being addressed.

For instance, let’s say you have a slant front desk made during the mid-18th century in Paris. Technically, the correct name for the form would be “bureau de pente.” In your description, you can write something like the following: A Louis XV bureau de pente or desk, veneered in kingwood marquetry, and embellished with ormolu mounts. That way, you are enlightening your reader to the correct term while identifying the object.