objets d'art
Small artistic treasures
Objets d'art is the French term for decorative art objects—small sculptures, vases, figurines, ornamental boxes, and similar collectibles valued for their craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal rather than practical function.
The phrase appears in English when discussing antiques, interior design, or auction catalogs: The mansion was filled with objets d'art from the Louis XIV period.
Pronounced roughly "ob-ZHAY dar."
Copper-tin alloy
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- bustFailure or sculpture
- bas-reliefSculpture projecting slightly
figurine · maquette · pedestal · patina · casting · chisel · carving · stone
Skilled manual tradesperson
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
- potteryFired clay objects
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- glassblowingCrafting molten silica by inflation
marquetry · intarsia · inlay · metalwork · enameling · lacquerware · silversmithing · goldsmithing
Uncommon or scarce items
- figurinesSmall ornamental sculptures
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
- memorabiliaCollected items of significance
- provenanceRecord of ownership
appraisal · auction · estate · acquisition · investment · numismatics · philately · dolls
Thing that beautifies
- vaseOrnamental container for flowers
- figurineSmall ornamental sculpture
- urnDecorative container for ashes
- statuetteMiniature sculpted figure
candelabra · snuffbox · inkwell · clock · mirror · chandelier · sconce · tray
Human-made historical object
- relicPreserved ancient object
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- provenanceRecord of ownership
patina · antiquity · curio · restoration · heritage · timeless · bygone · classical
Public display of items
- curatorCollection overseer
- vernissageExhibition opening reception
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
- installationProcess of putting in
exhibit · patron · auction · collector · connoisseur · acquisition · appraisal · provenance
bronze
Copper-tin alloy
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- bustFailure or sculpture
bas-relief · figurine · maquette · pedestal · patina · casting · chisel · carving · stone · terracotta
artisan
Skilled manual tradesperson
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
- potteryFired clay objects
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
glassblowing · marquetry · intarsia · inlay · metalwork · enameling · lacquerware · silversmithing · goldsmithing · cloisonné
rarities
Uncommon or scarce items
- figurinesSmall ornamental sculptures
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
- memorabiliaCollected items of significance
provenance · appraisal · auction · estate · acquisition · investment · numismatics · philately · dolls · porcelain
ornament
Thing that beautifies
- vaseOrnamental container for flowers
- figurineSmall ornamental sculpture
- urnDecorative container for ashes
statuette · candelabra · snuffbox · inkwell · clock · mirror · chandelier · sconce · tray · box
artifact
Human-made historical object
provenance · patina · antiquity · curio · restoration · heritage · timeless · bygone · classical · vintage
exhibition
Public display of items
- curatorCollection overseer
- vernissageExhibition opening reception
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
installation · exhibit · patron · auction · collector · connoisseur · acquisition · appraisal · provenance · catalog
- home decorvase, candles, lamps, cushions, artwork
- knickknackstchotchkes, trinkets, curios, bric-a-brac, gewgaws
- art termspainting, sculpture, drawing, portrait, landscape
- decorative artsdecorative arts, topiary, enamelwork, applied arts, ornamental design
- FabergéFaberge eggs, jeweled eggs, guilloche
- wall decormurals, artwork, canvas print, prints, framed photo
objets d'artjunk
Worthless discarded items
trash · kitsch · tchotchkes · rubbish · bric-a-brac
art, object, objective, objecting, objectives, objectivity, objected, objectify, objectification