Adams [Period] - In England, relating to an 18th century style of furniture and architecture characterized by straight lines and decorations of garlands and medallions; influenced by architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) and his brother James (1730-1794)

Andiron - One of a pair of metal supports used on a hearth to hold logs or firewood inside a fireplace, comprising a horizontal bar or rod mounted on short legs and often having a vertical shaft surmounting the front end

Aperture - An opening or an open space; in the case of a fireplace, the opening to the firebox or the opening between the two jambs or mantel supports

Bolection [molding] - Also bilection; A molding that projects from the flat surface of a plane , usually rounded

Cartouche - Usually an oval or oblong ornamental motif, often framing an armorial insignia or coat-of-arms, and often having a scrolled edge; on a mantel, generally in the center of the frieze

Chenets - French term meaning andirons; in England, usually firedogs

Chimneypiece - an ornamental construction around a fireplace; generally synonymous with mantel

Directoire [Period] - Broadly speaking, the style and manner which prevailed in France at the time of the Directory (1793-99; or by other accounts 1795-99); stylistically, a transitional period between the Louis XVI and Empire periods

Empire [Period] - 1799-1815; a style of French interior decoration which grew out of and evolved from the Directoire period; Egyptian motifs were common design elements of the period; some designs from the period remained popular through the 1830s

Entrelac - In French decorative arts, an interwoven or interlaced design; an interlocking design, sometimes of garlands, flowers, or rings

Federal [Period] - In America, the period from approximately 1780-1820/30; stylistically similar to Adams

Fire Back - Generally, a cast iron panel (or group of panels) which is meant to stand or sit in a firebox for the purpose of radiating heat; also designed to protect the brick lining of the firebox

Firebox - In a fireplace, the chamber that contains the fire

Firedogs - Term usually used in England to mean andiron or more specifically, double andirons

Fire Fender - A low metal frame which sits on a hearth in front of a fireplace; also referred to as a fender or fireplace fender; designed to confine burning embers and ash to the hearth

Fireplace - A framed opening in a chimney made to hold an open fire; today, often used interchangeably with fireplace surround, fire surround, or mantel

Fireplace Surround - See fireplace or mantel

Fire Screen - A protective and usually ornamental screen which stands before a fireplace

Fire Surround - See fireplace or mantel

Fire Tools - Various utensils (such as tongs, pokers and shovels) used to tend a fire, especially in a fireplace

Flute - A rounded groove, often used to indicate one of the vertical parallel grooves in an architectural column

Frieze - In architecture, a plain or decorated horizontal band; the part of a mantel which connects the jambs and runs under the shelf

Gilt-bronze - Bronze which has been overlaid with a thin covering of gold

Hearth - An area in front of a fireplace which is usually made of brick, cement, or stone

Jamb - An upright piece forming the side of an opening, as in a fireplace; also a projecting columnar part, as in the side piece of a fireplace or mantel; more specifically, the part of a fireplace or mantel which holds up or supports the frieze and shelf

Louis XIV [Period] - 1643-1715; in furniture and architecture, generally associated with the period 1661-1715

Louis XV [Period] - 1723-1774; in France, a stylistic period which was characterized by fanciful curves, rococo and sometimes chinoiserie

Louis XVI [Period] - 1774-93; in France, stylistically characterized by a return to simple straight lines and symmetry

Mantel - Also, mantle; short for mantelpiece, the finish or finished and framed area around a fireplace; today, essentially synonymous with fireplace, fireplace surround, chimneypiece, or fire surround; generally made of stone or wood

Ormolu - Gilded brass or bronze used for decorative purposes, often as mounts on furniture or on architectural elements such as mantels; see also gilt-bronze

Provenance - History, origin or source; as regards an antique or artwork, the history of its ownership; an interesting or historically significant provenance may add great value to a piece

Regence [Period] - in France, the period during the regency of Philippe, duc d'Orleans (1715-1723); a transitional period and style

Regency [Period] - In England, 1812-1830; the period when the Prince of Wales was appointed Regent in England; stylistically, lighter and more simple than the Georgian Period yet elegant and graceful; the predominant design trend of the this period was neoclassicism

Rocaille - In French decorative arts, rococo designs typical of the Louis XV period

Serpentine - Having a compound curve, the central curve being convex

Shelf - Short for mantelshelf, essentially the top of a fireplace or mantel

Support - Same as jamb

Traverse - Sometimes used to describe the frieze of a mantel

Upright - Same as a jamb or support

Volute - A scroll-shaped form; a spiral scroll-shaped ornament which, as an example, is the principal element of an Ionic capital