Glossary of Antiquing Terms – “G”

These terms apply to Antiques, Antique Furniture,
Auctions, Glass, and Other Assorted Collectibles

Gallery Rail – Usually a small, brass railing, bordering a sideboard buffet server or dining room table.

Gate-Leg Table – A drop-leaf table on which the legs are connected by stretchers. The legs act as swinging gates and extend to support the top. The same without stretchers are called swing leg tables.

genre ( jahn-re) – Paintings that represent scenes of everyday life, popular from the 17th – 19th centuries.

Georgian – In America, Early Georgian style is since 1727. An elegant design, evolved heavier and increasingly ornate than earlier Queen Anne forms. Characteristics include diverse decoration ornate carvings, highly carved cabriole legs with ball and claw feet, and open back splats. Popular theme elements were eagle and lion heads and claws, leaves and satyr mask. Relating also to the Hanoverian kings of England George I, II, III and IV (1714-1837).

Gesso – An undercoating medium used on the canvas or other painting surface before painting, to prime the canvas; usually a white, chalky, thick liquid. In the mid-20th century, gesso became available already commercially prepared; before this time, artists often mixed their own gesso mixture.

Gildinggold – Coating with a thin layer of gold foil leaf, or a faux resemblance.

Glaze – Technique of using a thin layer of translucent surface color to modify the tone or color underneath. A Glaze in the finishing process of furniture is whipped, blended and applied by hand to highlight the grained character and color of wood.

Gothic – A style with pointed arches and foils. Often mixed with Chinese and Rococo elements.

Gothic Revival – A mid-1800s style inspired by Gothic and medieval influences. Characteristics of flowing slender piers up to pointed arch vaulting, buttressing and other Gothic cathedral architecture features from 12th – 16th century northern France and then Europe. Characteristic furniture forms include large, heavy pieces with generously carved Gothic architectural motifs. Chests were banded in decorative wrought iron. X-framed chairs trestle tables, and estate beds are other Gothic items.

Grisaille (gri-zale) – French term for painting entirely in neutral gray tones of one color (monochrome) such as for decoration, under-painting or a model for an engraver.

Guild – Middle Ages Tradesmen often formed guilds of eclectic trades for economic, social and religious benefits. In Florence, Italy, painters were originally in the same guild as apothecaries and physicians. Unless a painter was in the personal service of a ruling prince, all painters had to join a guild. Only competent artisans who submitted an approved ‘master-piece’ to the guild could become Masters and then be allowed to set up a studio business, teach pupils and hire journeymen. Master Studios operated under the supervision of Guild officers who uniformly regulated even the materials used. The Guild’s demanding performance and control caused artists like Michelangelo, da Vinci and others to insist on the artist’s freedom and originality as an inspired gentleman scholar. That new attitude of artists led to use of academies rather than guilds in teaching of the arts.