{"id":12717,"date":"2019-08-08T10:30:23","date_gmt":"2019-08-08T14:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=12717"},"modified":"2025-12-16T15:52:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T20:52:03","slug":"10-amish-furniture-terms-and-what-they-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/10-amish-furniture-terms-and-what-they-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Amish Furniture Terms and What They Mean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a finial? What\u2019s a tongue and groove back? What do they contribute to the style and function of solid wood furniture? And what\u2019s the difference between an armoire<\/a> and a chifforobe? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re taking a look at some terms we often use in the Amish furniture<\/a> world but that could use some clarification for those not studying furniture every day. One thing we can guarantee, they\u2019re all important and all have purpose, because the Amish don\u2019t have time for things that don\u2019t enhance the furniture or make it better in some way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in true JEOPARDY style, we\u2019ll get this Amish furniture<\/a> terms blog started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clue: <\/strong>I provide extra room at the dining table, and I fold up and store inside it. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A butterfly leaf table extension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterfly leaves are a great way to expand the dining room\ntable and not have to store table leaves separately since they fold and store\ninside. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Napoleon Dining Table<\/a> is available with either regular extensions or a butterfly leaf extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With a butterfly leaf table extension, the ends of the table slide apart to create a gap in the center, just like traditional table extensions<\/a>. The butterfly leaf folds in half to store in a compact space beneath the table top. This type of table extension requires more moving parts than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a demonstration, check out our butterfly leaf video\nclip.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Butterfly
A butterfly leaf table extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong> I add graceful support to tables and chairs. I am curved and tapered, curving outward at the top and inward farther down. I have a rounded shape at my base. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cabriole leg.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish
Lovely cabriole legs on the Queen Anne Dining Room Table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The cabriole leg is most often associated with the elegant and formal style of Queen Anne<\/a> and Chippendale furniture. It has become a symbol of 18th<\/sup> century furniture, and its shape was originally modeled after the legs of some four footed animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong> I can be used in place of a closet, and I can hold both hanging and folded clothes. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A chifforobe.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Shaker Chifforobe<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Chifforobes can come in handy if you are low on closet space or don\u2019t have a closet at all. A combination of a chiffonier and a wardrobe, they store clothing and other items, reducing bedroom clutter. Many can be used as entertainment centers in the bedroom<\/a> or guest room. The main difference between the armoire and the chifforobe is that a chifforobe offers more storage options, combining more drawers, shelves and hanging space than a traditional armoire.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
Amish Boulder Creek Double Wardrobe Armoire<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong> I\u2019m a type of \u201cfurniture foot\u201d that resembles a paw. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A claw foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The claw foot is a furniture foot style that consists of a carved animal paw, often one that resembles a lion\u2019s paw. The design for the claw foot originated in the 17th<\/sup> century and came from images used in Chinese mythology. The look was imported to Europe and spread, offering an exotic look for the time. The claw foot is characteristic of the Queen Anne period of furniture and goes hand-in-hand with the ball and claw foot that is more rounded and resembles the talons of an eagle holding a ball. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Yorkshire Double Pedestal Dining Table<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong>  I\u2019m a type of molding that resembles a row of teeth. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dentil molding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dentil molding is a purely decorative feature used in Amish furniture. Dentil is from the Latin word dens that stands for \u201ctooth\u201d and dentil molding is a vertical small block pattern that repeats, resembling a row of straight teeth. It\u2019s a decorative band that can be used to line the top of hutches<\/a> and other furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Amish Custom David 3-Drawer Nightstand<\/a>
with dentil moulding.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue: <\/strong>You can find me at the tops of chairs and bed posts. I am also called a hip knob. I am rounded, sometimes elongated, and my purpose is strictly decorative. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A finial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finials can be made of different types of materials for\ndifferent structures. They are found on buildings, park railings, roofs, rods\nand fine furniture. Finials have been around a long time and were even used in\nancient Greek buildings. Finials serve as decoration at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Galloway Shaker Ladder Back Chair <\/a>with finials at the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Amish<\/a>
Finials reach high on the posts of the Amish Shaker Pencil Post Bed.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue: I\u2019m a simple but vital element to sound construction.\nI\u2019m a connector, a duo that creates strength when joined together. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A mortise and tenon joint.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Mortise
A mortise and tenon.
Photo Credit: Popular Mechanics.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The mortise and tenon joint has been used by woodworkers for thousands of years. Mortise and tenon joints are simple and strong. They are comprised of two parts: the mortise and the tenon. The mortise is the receiving end or the hole of the joint, and the tenon (also called a rail) is the piece that fits inside the mortise and connects the two pieces of wood at a right angle.  The tenon is cut to be an exact fit for the mortise and glue is used to secure the joint. The mortise and tenon joint is considered the strongest.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A
A tenon made by an Amish woodworker in Ohio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"A
A mortise opening.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong>  I aid in display. I can be found in hutches or left out if you don\u2019t need me. I\u2019m a convenient carving. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A plate groove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plate grooves are offered in both glass and wood shelves in\nour Amish hutches and china cabinets, making it easy to display cherished\ndishes while making sure they won\u2019t fall over inside the cabinet. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Jafferson Valley Hutch.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong> Forks and knives won\u2019t touch each other with me. I prevent everything from getting mixed up. I\u2019m an option for lots of hutches, buffets and servers made in Amish country. What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A silverware insert.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A
Silverware inserts easily organize a drawer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Silverware inserts keep items organized and easy to\nretrieve. Silverware inserts for our Amish hutches and cabinets can be lined\nwith colored felt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clue:<\/strong> I can often be found in hutch backs or bookcase backs. I add strength and depth and contribute to a rustic look. I am similar to shiplap.  What am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tongue and groove back. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish
The Amish Primitive Pine Hutch has a tongue and groove back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Tongue and groove boards in furniture look similar to shiplap, and they contribute to a rustic look and feel that farmhouse kitchens love. The difference between shiplap and tongue and groove is in the way the boards fit together. Shiplap boards <\/a>overlap and lock together, while tongue and groove wood boards consist of two elements that fit together. One side of the board has a protrusion or \u201ctongue\u201d and the other side of the board has a groove that acts as the receiving end when they lock together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope you found these Amish furniture terms helpful in\nexplaining how some features and functions of Amish furniture work. <\/p>\n

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