The Alphabet of Art & Antiques – F is for…
Faience
Faience is tin-glazed earthenware made in France, Germany, Spain, and Scandinavia. It is distinguished from tin-glazed earthenware made in Italy, which is called Majolica, and that made in the Netherlands and England, which is called Delft.
From Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge: French faience Moustier-style plate, 19th century
Fauvism
Fauvism is a style of painting with vivid expressionistic and non-naturalistic use of color that flourished in Paris from 1905 and, although short-lived, had an important influence on subsequent artists, especially the German expressionists. Matisse was regarded as the movement’s leading figure. Think of Fauvism as Impressionism that is taken to the absolute extreme with bolder colors and thicker brushstrokes (often applied straight from the paint tubes).
Open Window, Collioure (1905) by Henri Matisse
Ferronnière
The ferronnière was a delicate jewelry item worn by women on the forehead which served to help hold hairstyles in place. It consisted of a chain with fine links – or a textile thread – usually with a single gemstone in the center. The name is derived from a painting, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, named La Belle Ferronnière (from French: “the beautiful blacksmith’s wife”) currently in the Musée du Louvre in Paris, see below.
Festoon
A festoon is a decorative element consisting of a wreath or garland hanging from two points. In architecture, a festoon is typically a carved ornament depicting an arrangement of flowers, foliage or fruit bound together and suspended by ribbons. The motif is sometimes known as a swag when depicting fabric or linen.
Fibula
A fibula is a decorated fastening brooch which was used by the Romans to secure a robe on the shoulder. It is the ancient equivalent of a safety pin.
Roman gold crossbow fibula (brooch), A.D. 286–305 or 306/7–308/9. Image via The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Filigree
Filigree is a form of intricate metalwork used in jewelry and other small forms of metalwork. In jewelry, filigree is usually made of gold and silver, with tiny beads or twisted threads, or both in combination, soldered together and arranged in artistic motifs.
From Lang Antiques: seed pearl & enamel filigree bracelet
Fleur de Lis
The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily that is used as a decorative design or symbol. Traditionally, the fleur-de-lis has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity.
From Lang Antiques: Victorian diamond fleur-de-lis pendant/brooch
Fluting
Fluting is a decoration formed by making a series of parallel, semi-circular shallow grooves running along a surface.
English fluted bottle with lid, circa 1950 B.C. Image via The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fretwork
Fretwork is an interlaced decorative design that is either carved in low relief on a solid background, or cut out with a saw. Most fretwork patterns are geometric in design. The materials most commonly used are wood and metal.
Pair of 19th century Chinese bamboo fretwork armchairs. Image via Christie’s.
By Vera Vandenbosch