Makers, Periods & Styles Library

Carrara marble (also known as Carrera marble,) is named after the area in Italy (in Tusancy) where this brilliant white or blue-grey marble is quarried. It has been used since ancient times for buildings and sculpture. Famous examples that use Carrara marble include the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column in Ancient...

A Carriage clock is a small, spring-driven clock. Also known as ‘Officers Clocks’ they were designed for travelling. The first carriage clock was invented in 1812 for the Emperor Napoleon by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Designed for portability, the case, is rectangular with a carrying handle. Made of plain or...

Is world famous for its bespoke jewellery and watches which it designs, makes and sells. One claim to fame is that it ‘invented’ the first practical male wristwatch at the behest of the Brazilian pioneer aviator, who complained that the pocketwatch was impractical whilst flying. The ‘Santos’ watch was born...

Is a sculpted female figure that takes the place of a pillar or column and serves as an architectural support with an entablature on her head. The name derives from the Greek term karyatides which means ‘maidens of Karyai’. Karyai had a famous temple dedicated to Artemis-Karyatis, and the local sacred dance...

A Cellarette or cellaret is a small cabinet made to store alcohol bottles (e.g wine or whisky). They come in various shapes and sizes including freestanding cabinets on legs, built into the end of dining room sideboards or portable with handles. They were often made of fine decorative wood like walnut, rosewood or...

Chaise longue or ‘long chair’ has become a classic furniture item and is an upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair that is long enough to support the legs. Popularly used as a daybed, depictions of them occur in ancient Egypt and Greece as well as in Roman times. Modern versions include the Duchesse […]

A Chandelier is a type of light fitting. Designed to catch and refract the light to illuminate larger spaces, they came to be very ornate featuring carved crystal and glass and could hold tens if not hundreds of candles. The word derives from the Latin ‘candela’ meaning candle. The earliest examples were used...