The results of a search and critical evaluation of the literature pertinent to both the use and the characterization of the performance of antivibration mountings for the control of noise and vibration are described. First to be discussed are the static and dynamic properties of rubberlike materials that are suited for use in antivibration mountings. This is followed by analyses of the simple (one‐stage) mounting system and its subsequent, impaired performance when second‐order resonances occur either in the isolator (wave effects) or in the structure of the mounted item itself (nonrigid supporting feet). A discussion is then given of the performance of the compound or two‐stage mounting system which possesses superior isolation properties for high frequencies. Next, the four‐pole parameter technique of analysis is described and applied, in general terms, to the characterization of the performance of an antivibration mounting with wave effects for the cases where either the supporting foundation or mounted item are nonrigid. The methods adopted for the direct measurement of antivibration‐mounting performance are described, followed by an explanation of how this same experimental determination of transmissibility can also be made using an indirect measurement technique based upon four‐pole parameter analysis considerations.