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Davenport: A pretty and small writing desk with a sloping front, usually supported by ornate legs, with a series of drawers down one side, and false drawers on the opposite side. So called because the first one was ordered by one Capt. John Davenport in the late 1790s. Some examples have a writing surface which slides forwards as opposed to a fall-front, and quite a few harlequin examples exist. [picture] [picture]

In the US, this is a term for a sort of sofa, or day bed, specifically with a head rest.

Dentil: A frieze moulding of small rectangular blocks in an equidistant series resembling teeth. Taken from the Ionic and Corinthian orders, such moulding is often used to ornament a cornice. [picture]

Dishing: A (usually) turned shallow depression in the top of a table, often a gaming table, in which case they are used for storing the money or chips, and are also known as guinea pockets. Also found on candlestands and such-like. The main purpose of it is to stop objects from slipping off; The term also applies to the shaping of the wooden seat of (say) a Windsor chair for comfort.

Domed top: A term properly applied to a three-dimensional vault, but it also refers to the arched top of a late C17th/early C18th cabinet, and the tops of similar items such as or boxes etc.

Dovetail: A cabinet-maker's joint, fitting two pieces of wood together at right angles, in which a series of wedge-shaped projections (the 'dove's tail', hence the name) in one piece, fit into corresponding slots in the other. It is a strong joint, especially resistant to outward pull, hence often found on drawers. A Half-dovetail has one side (of both the protruding dovetail and the slot part) angled and the other straight; a Lapped-dovetail does not extend all the way through on one surface.

Dowel: A small headless peg or pin of wood used in cabinet-making for securing a joint, or to mount finials snd suchlike.

Dresser: The name derives from the original use of these, which was a piece of furniture on which food was "dressed". They appear inn two forms, low-dressers, and high-dressers. The former are simply a sideboard-type piece, whereas the latter, sport racks or shelves above the "sideboard".

Drop-finial: Repeated pendants beneath a rail, in some cases it will form an apron. It's occasionally used as another term for a chain (see Finial).

Drop leaf: A hinged extension flap to a table, dropping vertically when not in use, which can be supported horizontally by a swing leg, a fly bracket or a loper. It's often made using a rule joint, but may be a butt.

Drop leaf Table: A table incorporating a drop leaf or leaves, sometimes called a 'flag table', and includes such tables as Pembrokes, Sutherlands, sofas and gatelegs. [picture]

Dustboard: A thin board, generally of softwood, fixed to the rails between the drawers of a chest. Its purpose, of course, is to keep dust off the contents of the drawers.

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