objet d'art
Small artistic treasure
An objet d'art is a small decorative object valued for its artistic quality or craftsmanship—a carved figurine, an ornate snuffbox, a piece of fine porcelain.
The French term (literally "object of art") sounds more refined than "knickknack" and implies genuine aesthetic or monetary worth: The mansion was filled with objets d'art from her travels.
Plural: objets d'art.
Ornamental container for flowers
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
- ornamentThing that beautifies
- figurineSmall ornamental sculpture
snuffbox · Fabergé · netsuke · scrimshaw · cameo · urn · candelabra · jardinière
Odd collectible item
- rarityUncommon occurrence
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- antiqueOld valued collectible
vintage · investment · numismatics · philately · ephemera · memorabilia · porcelain · stamps
Purified or cultured
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
ornate · opulent · sumptuous · luxurious · baroque · rococo · neoclassical · Chinoiserie
Copper-tin alloy
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
- bustFailure or sculpture
- figurineSmall ornamental sculpture
- bas-reliefSculpture projecting slightly
statuette · terracotta · jade · ivory · alabaster · casting · patinated · pedestal
Made manually, not machined
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- patinaSurface film from aging
gilding · enameling · filigree · embossing · etching · lacquer · cloisonné · chasing
Public exhibit space
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- exhibitItem publicly displayed
- collectionGathered set of items
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
estate · bequest · deaccession · repatriation · looted · attribution · connoisseur · curator
vase
Ornamental container for flowers
figurine · snuffbox · Fabergé · netsuke · scrimshaw · cameo · urn · candelabra · jardinière · cachepot
curio
Odd collectible item
antique · vintage · investment · numismatics · philately · ephemera · memorabilia · porcelain · stamps · coins
refined
Purified or cultured
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
delicate · ornate · opulent · sumptuous · luxurious · baroque · rococo · neoclassical · Chinoiserie · precious
bronze
Copper-tin alloy
bas-relief · statuette · terracotta · jade · ivory · alabaster · casting · patinated · pedestal · plinth
handcrafted
Made manually, not machined
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
patina · gilding · enameling · filigree · embossing · etching · lacquer · cloisonné · chasing · granulation
museum
Public exhibit space
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- exhibitItem publicly displayed
- collectionGathered set of items
acquisition · estate · bequest · deaccession · repatriation · looted · attribution · connoisseur · curator · dealer
- art formspainting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music
- antiquesantiques, antique furniture, antique, antique coins, Greek vases
- curioscurios, curio, curiosities, curiosity, knickknacks
- home decorvase, candles, lamps, cushions, artwork
- art termspainting, sculpture, drawing, portrait, landscape
- Art Jargoncurator, gallerist, provenance, oeuvre, vernissage