Pedigree and Panache


Book Description

"Art auctions have long captured the public imagination. They regularly make news headlines and have become synonymous with glamour, money and social distinction. The marketing of auction houses and the works they sell has resulted in firms attaining authoritative positions and the ability both to influence and reflect collecting tastes. Pedigree and panache is the first comprehensive history of the art auction in Australia. In this fascinating work, Shireen Huda investigates the construction of the glamorous reputation of art auctions and art auction houses. Featuring absorbing case studies of key art auctions and major art auction houses in Australia (including Christies, Sothebys and Deutscher-Menzies) the work provides an overview of the origin and international development of art auctions. The development of the Australian marketplace is then explored, detailing colonial inception and continuing until Christies' withdrawal of its saleroom presence in 2006."--Provided by publisher.




Slavery and the British Country House


Book Description

The British country house has long been regarded as the jewel in the nation's heritage crown. But the country house is also an expression of wealth and power, and as scholars reconsider the nation's colonial past, new questions are being posed about these great houses and their links to Atlantic slavery.This book, authored by a range of academics and heritage professionals, grew out of a 2009 conference on 'Slavery and the British Country house: mapping the current research' organised by English Heritage in partnership with the University of the West of England, the National Trust and the Economic History Society. It asks what links might be established between the wealth derived from slavery and the British country house and what implications such links should have for the way such properties are represented to the public today.Lavishly illustrated and based on the latest scholarship, this wide-ranging and innovative volume provides in-depth examinations of individual houses, regional studies and critical reconsiderations of existing heritage sites, including two studies specially commissioned by English Heritage and one sponsored by the National Trust.




Elephant Skull


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The Life of William Blake


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Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840


Book Description

A reference work on furniture makers active in England between 1660 and 1840. It lists makers in alphabetical order, recording biographical details, commissions, and information about signed or documented pieces, together with full supporting references.




Old Picture Books


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The Earthenware Collector (Classic Reprint)


Book Description

Excerpt from The Earthenware Collector As old as civilization it self, the art of the potter presents a kaleidoscope of alluring charm. To paraphrase the word of Alexandre Brongniart, no branch of industry, viewed in reference either to its history or its theory, or its practice, offers more that is interesting and fascinating, regarding alike its economic application and its artistic aspect, than does the fictile art; nor exhibits products more simple, more varied, and their frailty notwithstanding, more desirable. Of course the crude vessels of ancient times, as well as the more serviceable and scientifically more beautiful articles of to-day, exist primarily for one and the same object the use and convenience of man. The story of the potter and his technique has been told repeatedly, sometimes as a general survey and sometimes as a specialised branch of a widely extended subject, but notwithstanding the numerous books devoted to it there is always something new to be recorded, fresh pieces to describe, new points to advance and discuss. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.







Britain


Book Description

British culture is strewn with names that strike a chord the world over such as Shakespeare, Churchill, Dickens, Pinter, Lennon and McCartney. This book examines the people, history and movements that have shaped Britain as it now is, providing key information in easily digested chunks.