bas relief
(bah relief)

1. A relief in which the figures project only slightly from the surrounding plane surface.

chinoiserie (Chi'noi'se*rie)

1. An object reflecting Chinese artistic influence.

decoupage (dekoopahj)

1. The technique of decorating a surface with cutouts, as of paper.

fresco (Fres"co)

1. The art of painting on freshly spread plaster, before it dries. 2. In modern parlance, incorrectly applied to painting on plaster in any manner.

gold leaf

Gold beaten into extremely thin sheets used especially for gilding.

marble dust plaster

A wall and ceiling coating made from calcium carbonate (its natural forms are marble and limestone), mixed with paint and applied with a trowel.

soffit

1. The underside of a structural component, such as a beam, arch, staircase, or cornice or overhang.

striae (stree ay)

1. A minute groove, or channel; a threadlike line, as of color; a narrow structural band or line; a striation; as, the striae or groovings, produced on a rock by a glacier passing over it; the striae on the surface of a shell. 2. A fillet between the flutes of columns, pilasters, or the like.

toile (twahl)

A sheer fabric, such as linen or cotton.

tromp l'oeil (tromp loi)

1. A painting rendered in such great detail as to deceive the viewer concerning its reality. Architectural moldings, columns, draped fabric, as well as more pictorial compositions, are all excellent themes for trompe l'oeil.

Venetian plaster

A wall and ceiling coating made from high quality ground marble, slaked lime and water. It is applied as a thin paste using a trowel, and can be polished to a brilliant sheen.