The Alphabet of Art & Antiques - H is for ...

Hadley Chest

A Hadley chest is a rectangular dowry chest, painted and elaborately carved with flat flowers (often tulips) and leaves, made around Hadley, Massachusetts from about 1680 to 1740 and used for storing clothes and linens.

A wooden chest of drawers with a flat top, decorated with geometric and floral patterns in red, yellow, green, and black. This striking piece of art features three drawers and a central panel on the front, all adorned with intricate folk art designs. The wood appears aged and worn, giving it the timeless appeal often found in cherished antiques.

300-year-old Hadley chest of drawers embellished with a rare polychrome design. Image via Christie’s.

Harlequin set

A Harlequin set is a set of objects such as cups and saucers of a common style, but each piece is decorated differently. The term is also applied to originally unrelated objects – of furniture, for example – which have been ‘matched up’ to make a set.

Five ornate porcelain plates with gold rims and Greek key patterns—true antiques—each featuring a classical mythological figure in a colored cameo: blue, green, red, red, and green. The intricate gold filigree on a white background reflects a masterful blend of art and elegance.

A harlequin set of five Mintons pâte-sur-pâte ivory-ground reticulated plates, circa 1880. Image via Sotheby’s.

Hepplewhite

George Hepplewhite, author of the posthumously published The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide (1788), stated his goal as “to unite elegance and utility.” Hepplewhite style is conservative, retaining design elements from earlier periods such as the cabriole leg, but tended to have a lighter appearance than the Adam style, its contemporary.

Two ornate armchairs with gold-carved wooden frames and cabriole legs, upholstered in bright green fabric. The backs, seats, and armrests are cushioned, showcasing elaborate rococo-style detailing—true works of art reminiscent of prized antiques. The chairs are positioned side by side against a neutral background.

From Clinton Howell Antiques: A fine Hepplewhite carved and gilt settee with six matching armchairs in the French taste. English, Circa 1775.

Herati pattern

A common floral motif used on Oriental carpets, and said to originate in the region of Herat, Iran. Typically it consists of a stylized floral rosette arranged in two-way or four-way symmetry, enclosed within a diamond shape.

Rectangular Persian rug with intricate floral and vine patterns in shades of tan, gold, and brown. Reminiscent of fine art, the rug has a detailed border with floral motifs framing the central design, creating an elegant, classic appearance. The overall texture appears slightly worn, adding to its timeless appeal and antique charm.

From Doris Leslie Blau: early 20th century Persian antique Tabriz rug, with Herati pattern in the center.

Hilt

The hilt is the hand grip of a sword or dagger. Until the 15th century, swords usually had a straight hilt with a cross guard and pommel (a pommel is the rounded knob on the end of the handle of a sword or dagger). Later hilts are more elaborate, in terms of both protection and decoration.

From Peter Finer: The hilt of this late 18th century sword is cast and chased silver-gilt. It is decorated overall with neoclassical iconography, incorporating acanthus leaves, wreaths and sprays of laurel and oak.

Hirado ware

Hirado ware is sparsely painted blue and white porcelain made at the Mikawachi kilns for the lords of Hirado, an island near Arita, Japan. Most pieces are likely to be 19^th century, although production may have been as early as the late 17th century.

Tall white porcelain vase with a narrow neck, decorated with blue and white embossed leaves—an elegant piece that beautifully merges art and tradition. Blue leaves are painted, while white leaves are raised, creating a textured effect reminiscent of fine antiques. The vase has a glossy finish and is shown against a plain white background.

A porcelain Hirado ware bottle, Meiji period (late 19th century). Image via Christie’s.

Hollowware

Hollowware is a general term for metal or ceramics ware that is hollow or concave, such as bowls and drinking vessels, platters, coffee and tea pots … – as opposed to flatware.

A silver serving tray with ornate engraving and two detailed covered serving dishes are displayed on a glass shelf, reflecting light like precious antiques. The tray has a scalloped edge, and both dishes feature decorative handles and intricate patterns that showcase the artistry of a bygone era.

Silver hollowware at the S.J. Shrubsole booth at the 2019 San Francisco Fall Show.

Horror vacui

Horror vacui (from Latin: “fear of empty space”) refers to a tendency to completely decorate the surface of jewels or other objects. Horror vacui is the opposite of minimalism.

Large ancient Greek terracotta vase with a wide body and narrow base, this striking piece of art is decorated in black-figure geometric patterns and rows of stylized human and animal figures—including horses and mourners—alongside handles on each side against a plain background, making it a rare treasure among antiques.

Ancient Greek Dipylon Vase, 8th century B.C.

Hydria

A hydria is an ancient Greek water jar made of pottery or metal. It usually has two horizontal handles used when lifting and sometimes a third, vertical handle used when pouring.

Black and white photo of an ancient Greek vase with two handles, decorated with white-figure illustrations of standing and seated people, a dog, and foliage. Geometric patterns adorn the neck, reflecting the timeless artistry characteristic of Greek art, while the background is plain.

Hydria depicting three of the fifty daughters of King Danaos (the Danaids) filling water pitchers, circa 340 – 320 BC. Image via The British Museum.

By Vera Vandenbosch

The Alphabet of Art & Antiques – H is for …