Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Rattan - A climbing palm, remarkable for the great length attained by its stems. Commonly used for wickerwork, seats of chairs, walking sticks, etc.

Rabbet - A cut partway through the edge of a board that is used as a part of a joint.

Radial Shrinkage - Shrinkage in a piece of lumber that occurs across the growth rings as it begins to dry.

Rail - (1) A horizontal board that runs along the underside of a table.
(2) The horizontal part of a raised panel door.

Raised Panel - A piece of wood that is the center of a frame and panel assembly

Reaction Wood - Abnormal wood formed in a leaning tree, often characterized by a dense hard brittle grain and propensity to react irregularly to seasonal moisture changes. In hardwood trees, it forms on the upper side of the lean and is called tension wood. In softwood trees it forms on the lower side of the lean and is called compression wood.

Recamier - A long chair designed for relaxing and semi-reclining, usually upholstered. Adapted from the French 18th-century style, it is also called a chaise lounge.

Reeding - Decoration formed by a series of beads moldings set together in parallel lines.

Refectory Table - A long and narrow table having stretchers close to the floor.

Régènce (French) - Transitional period in French Furniture design between Louis XIV and the Rococo style developed by Louis XV. Named for the time frame in France from 1715-1728 when Philip, Duke of Orleans, reigned. Characteristics are graceful curves, the cabriole leg, and ornamentation copied from nature rather than mythology. Bright veneers of rosewood and satinwood were widely used.

Regency (English) - Period of severe neoclassicism from 1810-1820 influenced by the French Empire.

Relief - Forms of molded, carved or stamped decoration raised from the surface of a piece of furniture forming a pattern.

Renaissance - Revival of interest in classical design, beginning in Italy during the 14th century and continuing to spread throughout Europe until the 17th century. Design is simple in structure with a generous use of classical ornament, such as the acanthus leaf, animal forms, and pilasters.

Ribband Back - Chair back designed with pattern of interlacing ribbons. Characteristic of Chippendale style.

Ripcut - A cut made parallel to the grain of a board. See - Crosscut (crosscutting)

Rococo - Period in French design originating in the 18th century after Baroque. It was symmetrical and tended to be over -ornamented. Name is derived from the French words rocaille and coquille rock and shell, prominent motifs in this decoration.

Rosewood - A wood of a dark-red or purplish color and variegated with black, obtained from various tropical trees. The most important commercial sources are Brazilian rosewood and Honduras rosewood.

Rosette - A circular ornamentation, often carved to resemble a flower

Rotary Cut Veneer - Veneer which was cut from a log in one long sheet. Rotary cut veneer is cut from a log like a roll of paper towels

Roundabout Chair - A type of chair designed to fit into a corner. It has a low back on two adjoining sides of a square seat.

Round Edge Lumber - Boards having attached bark on both edges.

Runout - The amount of wobble in a shaper or router

Rule Joint - A quarter round, molded wood joint between a table top and drop leaf, leaving no open space when the leaf is down.

Rush seat - Chair seat made of rush stalks which were plaited together in order to form an even surface. Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries and particularly used on slat back chairs.

Rustic Furniture - Of or pertaining to the country, with plain, simple, and sturdy designs. First gained popularity in America during the late Victorian and turn of the century periods. Motifs include bent twigs, root designs, and huge tree stumps formed into furniture. Woods used were white and yellow birch, red cedar, cherry twigs etc. The Old Hickory Chair Company, started in Indiana in 1892, was one of the largest firms to produce rustic pieces.