~ F ~

Fall-front: The front or flap of a cabinet, secretaire or bureau, hinged at the bottom edge so it forms a horizontal surface when lowered, almost always as a writing surface. It can be either vertical or sloped, and will almost always supported by a loper, or a quadrant stay.

Festoon: A Garland or Swag of flowers and foliage, or perhaps a ribbon, suspended from the ends; not to be confused with a chain, which often hangs from each end of a festoon. From the Baroque style, it resembles a hammock.

Fielded panel: A wooden panel used in a framework or door. It consists of a panel with a raised central area made with a wide chamfered or bevelled rebate worked around the edges. Often a small moulding is worked at the inner side of the rebate.

Fillet: Put simply, just a thin strip of wood, but it can also be a narrow flat band or moulding which is placed between two larger mouldings or flutes.

Finger joint: Also known as a knuckle joint, this is a wooden hinge (with a metal pintle) used in the supporting mechanism such as the fly-bracket of a drop-leaf or folding table or the swing leg of a gateleg or card table.

Finial: A knob or spire-like ornamental projection finishing off an upright member, pediment or any vertical projection. Commonly carved in a number of forms, from architectural forms like columns, to animals and human figures, When found on furniture, it's basically a small, turned projection. A downward-pointing finial is called a pendant (See drop-finial). It's also a term applied to silver spoons, when it describes the turning or pattern found at the opposite end of the shaft (or handle) to the bowl. [picture]

Flare: The outward, concave curve of a leg etc.

Flag table: See drop leaf table.

Flutes/Fluting: Repeated and close-set half-round and vertically-running concave grooves found particularly on columns, but also pilasters, decorative panels. [picture]

Fly bracket: A small, shaped and hinged bracket, usually incorporating a finger joint and always mounted vertically, used to support a flap of a table etc.

French foot: See Outscrolled foot.

Fret (fretwork): Pierced (Open fret) or applied (Blind fret) is an intricate form of decoration, usually done in plywood for strength. Frequently done in intricate patterns, which are often based on Chinoiserie and Gothic designs. [picture]

Frieze: A horizontal flat band, often decorated either by painting, or carved or sculpted. When convex, it's known as a Pulvinated frieze. The term also applies to the surface (framing) just beneath the top of a table such as a refectory or side table, or the base of a chest of drawers. [picture]

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