Decorative Arts « Decor Arts Now

Mar. 19

DESIGN DICTIONARY: Caryatid

“If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.”

CARYATID ”care-ee-ah-tid”: Sculpted support in the form of a female figure. First seen in Ancient Greek architecture. The caryatid appeared in Renaissance furniture and continued in popularity in Neo-classical styles, such as Directoire, Empire and Regency styles. The more rarely seen male version is called an “atlas.”

Caryatids on the Temple of Erechtheum in Athens, Greece

Caryatids in Vienna

Commode, ca. 1710–32
André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642–1732) with caryatids

Empire mahogany console with caryatids

English Regency Candlesticks with Caryatids

Regency Chair

Antique French clock, Directoire period, portico form, signed Revel Paris.

Victorian Renaissance Revival Dining Table with Caryatids

Victorian Renaissance Revival Dressing Table with Caryatids (a bit blurry, but a very common form)

Victorian Renaissance Revival Tankard with Caryatid

Caryatid lamp

New side table with caryatids available through Laura Kincade

Caryatid painting by Amedeo Modigliani

Atlas

Often seen on fireplaces.

Neo-classical fireplace with caryatids in the Drawing Room at Kedleston Hall, England

Very pretty neo-classical fireplace with caryatids

Photo credits: First image. Greek temple. Vienna. Commode. Empire console. Candlesticks. Regency chair from Quintessence blog-thanks Stacey . Clock. Dining Table. Dressing table. Tankard. Lamp. New side table. Modigliani. Altlas. First Fireplace image . Second fireplace

Mar. 12

DESIGN DICTIONARY: Anthemion and Palmette

Necklace with stylized anthemion motif

“If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.”

ANTHEMION and PALMETTE: These two terms are often used interchangeably. Both are motifs in decorative arts that consist of a group of fronds, sometimes with the center frond being a bit taller. Seen in classical styles, especially in the Neoclassical style of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

If you are being picky (and we are), there is a distinction between anthemion and palmette. The fronds of an anthemion, which means honeysuckle, tend to curl inward. The fronds of a palmette, which is inspired by a palm, are flat or curl outward. This distinction is readily apparent when one looks at the plants that inspired the motifs.