Cabochon

Cabachon refers to a central curved piece, normally a gemstone in a jewellery set but it can also be used to describe other feature materials such as timber set into a pattern. It comes from the French for head (caboche), referring to a way of cutting, forming a curved convex upper dome with flat underside, such as may be found with gemstones, and originates from around the 1600's. It was used more generically to describe an ornamental motive or feature found in furniture and flooring patterns from around the 1800's.

A Cabachon is made up of the upper edge, called the crown or dome, which is usually a polished or sanded finish, the flat base and a bevelled or square girdle, which runs around the circumference between the two. As well as its use in jewellery, the term may refer to an element of furniture patterns such as in marquetry or basket weave parquet patterns, to describe a central infill square with a dome shape.

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