American Federal Furniture and Decorative Arts from the Watson Collection


Book Description

While demonstrating the high level of artistry attained by furniture-makers of the period, this selection in many ways reflects the evolving character of domestic life in America during a seminal period in the country's history.













The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts


Book Description

The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts covers thousands of years of decorative arts production throughout western and non-western culture. With over 1,000 entries, as well as hundreds drawn from the 34-volume Dictionary of Art, this topical collection is a valuable resource for those interested in the history, practice, and mechanics of the decorative arts. Accompanied by almost 100 color and more than 500 black and white illustrations, the 1,290 pages of this title include hundreds of entries on artists and craftsmen, the qualities and historic uses of materials, as well as concise definitions on art forms and style. Explore the works of Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, and the Wiener Wekstatte, or delve into the history of Navajo blankets and wing chairs in thousands of entries on artists, craftsmen, designers, workshops, and decorative art forms.




Furniture in the Southern Style


Book Description

Historic forms of simple furniture have long been popular with amateur woodworkers, collectors and those seeking to better understand our past. But furniture from the Southern United States has largely been ignored, and Furniture in the Southern Style fills that gap. Furniture in the Southern Style documents proportions and details of this important and distinctive style through measured drawings of original pieces in the MESDA collection, and information in the Object and Craftsman databases at MESDA. The focus of Furniture in the Southern Style are the less formal pieces, largely unknown to those outside of the area where they are produced. The pieces you will see are great demonstrations of the style, each appropriately documented with information and photographs. The heart of this book are the measured construction drawings, allowing you to better understand and reproduce these pieces. Also included are chapters covering the historic context of the furniture, the craftsmen behind the pieces, and the techniques they used.




Decorative Arts


Book Description

This volume includes concise, illustrated entries on the more than 450 examples of furniture, porcelain, and silver from the Museum's collection. New to this expanded edition are sections devoted to maiolica and glass. An index of previous owners and updated bibliographies are of particular help to the scholar.




Victorian and Edwardian Decor


Book Description

For several years this has been the standard text on nineteenth-century British furniture, which continues to be the focus of an extraordinary growth of interest in the United States and throughout Europe.This exhaustive survey of a rich and rewarding chapter in the history of the decorative arts contains an astonishing range of photographs and drawings: more than six hundred illustrations, many of them in color, offer a uniquely comprehensive look at nineteenth-century furniture from the Gothic Revival to Art Nouveau. Every major designer is represented, including William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Christopher Dresser, and the choice of pictures includes a wealth of little-known furniture from private collections, much of which has never before been illustrated.A cheerful text enhanced by lavish picture layouts. -- The New York Times




Decorative Arts


Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the history and development of style and design from 1700 to the present day, from No.1 antiques and collectables expert Judith Miller. From priceless Oriental porcelain and Huguenot silver to exquisite Art Deco glass and minimalist contemporary chairs, explore the entire spectrum of decorative pieces including furniture, ceramics, silverware, glass, textiles, sculpture, clocks, and posters through the centuries. Discover how to identify the key features and motifs, materials and techniques that influenced design and their significance. Uncover the stories behind the key designers and craftsmen, and the movements they represent. Over 3,000 beautiful items reveal the style and beauty of furnishings and objects used to decorate interiors through the centuries.




The Decorative Arts of Sweden


Book Description

Ironware, textiles, pottery, glass, furniture, wood, rosemaling, folk art from 12th century to present, much modern design. 406 photographs.