Dictionary

Showing 73 to 78 of 4023 articles

Alentours

A style of tapestry-weaving first introduced at the Gobelins factory. It was first developed in the early 18th century, becoming popular by the mid-18th century. Typically, a central figurative scene, appearing like a painting, and ...

Alexander, William

British silversmith Apprenticed to Isabella Archer in 1707 and made a freeman in 1716. Registered only mark as a large worker in 1743. One of the most important chandelier makers of the mid-18th century.

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a rare and valuable gemstone, which changes colour from bluish-green in daylight to raspberry-red in artificial light. It is a variety of the hardstone chrysoberyl. Principal sources of alexandrite include Russia, ...

Alexandrite Glass

Developed by Thomas Webb, this late 19th- and early 20th­ century decorative glass has a multicoloured surface, shading from amber to deep pink-red and purple-blue at the extremities. The glass was first manufactured c1900 in Britain ...

Alhambresque

An adjective referring to large vases with pear-shaped bodies and double wing handles, decorated in blue and gold lustre in Arab style, that were known at the Alhambra. It comes from the name of the palace in Granada, southern Spain, built ...

Alia certosina

A geometric mosaic inlay, incorporating polygonal pieces of wood, ivory, bone, metal and mother-of-pearl. It was named after the Certosa di Pavia monastery in Italy. Popular in northern Italy in the 15th century, it was revived in Italy ...