This article forms part of the Decorative and Applied Arts Encyclopedia, a master reference hub providing a structured overview of design history, materials, movements, and practitioners.

Garniture. A decorative porcelain set may be displayed above or below a cabinet or table. If displayed on a chimneypiece, the set is called a garniture de cheminée.
Typical placement is on the mantelpiece over a fireplace. Still, garnitures were often placed on various pieces of furniture and ledges or niches around the walls of a room, especially over doors or above fireplaces.
A garniture is a collection of three matching pieces designed to adorn a mantlepiece; for example, a clock and two flanking vases or candelabra. Often a large central piece is flanked by pairs of smaller ones.
Sources
Campbell, G. (2006). The Grove Encyclopedia of decorative arts. Oxford University Press.
Wikipedia contributors. (2021, June 27). Garniture. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:38, January 21, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Garniture&oldid=1030754947
More Design Terms
Hard Paste Porcelain | Decorative Arts Dictionary
Hard paste porcelain, developed from kaolin and petuntse, offers exceptional durability and translucency. Originating in China, it influenced European ceramics…
Keep readingPele Towers: Fortified Homes of the Anglo-Scottish Borders
Arnside Tower, a late medieval pele tower in Cumbria, remains a striking roofless structure, emblematic of domestic defense in historic…
Keep readingPinchbeck: The Imitation Gold That Shaped 18th-Century Decorative Arts
Pinchbeck brooch, c. 1750, is an alloy of copper and zinc developed by Christopher Pinchbeck, offering a gold-like appearance that…
Keep readingHippocamp: Mythical Marine Creature in Art and Architecture
The hippocamp is a mythical sea creature with a horse’s upper body and a fish’s tail, linked to Poseidon, often…
Keep readingThe Allure of Agate: History and Modern Uses
The agate cup in the V&A Museum illustrates the stone’s historical significance in art. Valued for beauty and versatility, agate…
Keep readingExploring Italian Gothic Design: Art and Architecture
Italian Gothic architecture, flourishing from the 12th to 16th centuries, blends Northern influences with classical heritage, showcasing elaborate façades, functional…
Keep readingRelated Design Articles
Discover more from Encyclopedia of Design
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.