Art and Antique Information: Glossary of terms and definitions
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- Lacquer: A hard, clear, quick-drying, cellulose-based varnish. Applied as a top coat on furniture in several thin layers, each dried and sanded, then polished to a very high sheen.
- Ladder-back: Term used to describe a style of chair with a back containing a series of horizontal slats resembling a ladder between two upright posts.
- Laminate: Binding layers of wood panels laid alternately across the grains and bonded for strength and durability.
- Lattice: Carved, decorative, diagonal or square crisscross pattern network in cutout panel work, on screens, chair backs, highboy pediments, etc.
- Lauan: Hardwood promoted as Philippine Mahogany and with a red-brown color and attractive grainings.
- Lawson: A overstuffed sofa or chair with a square back, trimmed square or rounded lowered arms accented with a slight roll and broad seat cushions.
- leaf: tabletop extension panel
- local color: The actual color of a form or object, not influenced by the effects of atmospheric light or reflected color.
- Lincoln Rocker: A high backed, upholstered rocker chair and armrests, with the wood frame exposed.
- Linseed Oil: Oil extracted from flax seed used as an ingredient in oil paints and varnishes.
- Lintel: A horizontal member, spanning opening between columns or over a door, window, etc.
- linear: A quality making use of line in painting, sculpture and design; relating to movement direction in composition, or the actual use of line elements.
- lip mold: Molded drawer or door front rabbet edge that is extended to cover the joint between the case and front.
- Louvered doors: Doors with a series of parallel slats to designed allow air flow.
- Louis XIV, XV and XVI: Classic French designs from mid-17th century to the end of the 18th century. The King Louis styles evolved progressively somewhat more refined and simple.
but with lines and some ornamentation; Louis XVI has , geometric s and minimal
ornamentation.
- Louis XIV: Reserved version of Baroque style during the reign of Louis XIV in France (1643 to 1715). Decoration and furnishings reflected large, formal grandeur featuring modest rather than exaggerated curves. Decorative motifs were ornate, often carved boldly, including the popular fleur-de-lis, flower and fruit garlands, mythological beasts and animal forms.
- Louis XV: Rococo style during the reign of Louis XV in France (1723 to 1774). Louis XV was exemplified by a simpler, more feminine and diminutive scale, with freeform ornamentation, rounded edges, and flowing curved lines. Veneers sometimes included oriental lacquer and porcelain plaques.
- Louis XVI: Neoclassical revival style during the reign of Louis XVI in France (1774 to 1792). Furniture of this period became more geometric and rectilinear shaped; for instance, cylindrical or square legs rather than cabriole shaped. Decoration, though opulent, was restrained in reaction to earlier rococo styles; for example, floral themes were replaced by motifs of architectural and straight lines.
- Love seat: A small, upholstered sofa or a double chair structured to comfortably seat two people originally from Queen Anne style.
- Lowboy: A low or short chest or table with drawers, often on short legs.
Queen Anne Lowboy - Lyre: An ancient Greek harp
- lyrical : A quality in describing various arts that refers to an ethereal, musical, and poetic quality of artistic expression containing a certain spiritual or emotional quality.
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