Synopses & Reviews
Spanning six centuries of global design, this far-reaching survey is the first to offer an account of the vast history of decorative arts and design produced in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and the Islamic world, from 1400 to the present. Meticulously documented and lavishly illustrated, the volume covers interiors, furniture, textiles and dress, glass, graphics, metalwork, ceramics, exhibitions, product design, landscape and garden design, and theater and film design. Divided into four chronological sections, each of which is subdivided geographically, the authors elucidate the evolution of style, form, materials, and techniques, and address vital issues such as gender, race, patronage, cultural appropriation, continuity versus innovation, and high versus low culture.
and#160;
Leading authorities in design history and decorative arts studies present hundreds of objects in their contemporary contexts, demonstrating the overwhelming extent to which the applied arts have enriched customs, ceremony, and daily life worldwide over the past six hundred years. This ambitious, landmark publication is essential reading, contributing a definitive classic to the existing scholarship on design, decorative arts, and material culture, while also introducing these subjects to new readers in a comprehensive, erudite book with widespread appeal.
Review
and#160;and#8220;For those with deep pockets this season, the best titles are undoubtedly Susan Weber and Pat Kirkhamand#8217;s History of Design, which is both a stunning visual survey of 600 years of making, and an in-depth look at the evolution of the very idea of design itselfand#8221;and#8212;Michael Glover, The Independent
Review
and#8220;Scholarly yet generally readable, close attention is paid to the style, form, materials, and techniques associated with interiors, furniture, textiles and dress, glass, and so on. Exhaustiveand#8212;not exhausting. Rather like walking through the front door of an imaginary museum of design and letting the artistic wealth of the ages overwhelm.and#8221;and#8212;Norman Weinstein, Designers and Books
Review
and#8220;Nearly a decade in the making, History of Design is right for both the design maven and novice. Organized by historical era (1400-1600, e.g.) and by various areas of the world (East Asia, Europe, etc.), this heavyweight is dotted with gorgeous images. The knowledgeable commentary by various design writers lets interested readers delve into the details, but flipping through the bookand#8217;s 700 pages is fun too.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus
Review
and#8220;Whether readers are veteran collectors or novices, this magisterial volume offers them countless examples of the infinite richness that design has brought to daily life in all levels of society. Comprehensive, erudite, and invitingly accessible, the tome is hard to lift, but harder to put down.and#8221;and#8212;The Magazine Antiques
Review
and#8216;This ambitious survey, which has been produced by the Bard Graduate Center in New York, grew out of the perceived lack of a satisfactory introduction to the applied arts that spanned historical and geographical borders. It looks set to fix that, gathering together and#8220;adventurous scholarsand#8221; and illustrating their incisive contributions with an excellent range of high-quality images.and#8217;and#8212;Apollo Magazine
Synopsis
A survey of spectacular breadth, covering the history of decorative arts and design worldwide over the past six hundred years
Synopsis
A survey of spectacular breadth, covering the history of decorative arts and design worldwide over the past six hundred years Spanning six centuries of global design, this far-reaching survey is the first to offer an account of the vast history of decorative arts and design produced in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and the Islamic world, from 1400 to the present. Meticulously documented and lavishly illustrated, the volume covers interiors, furniture, textiles and dress, glass, graphics, metalwork, ceramics, exhibitions, product design, landscape and garden design, and theater and film design. Divided into four chronological sections, each of which is subdivided geographically, the authors elucidate the evolution of style, form, materials, and techniques, and address vital issues such as gender, race, patronage, cultural appropriation, continuity versus innovation, and high versus low culture.
Leading authorities in design history and decorative arts studies present hundreds of objects in their contemporary contexts, demonstrating the overwhelming extent to which the applied arts have enriched customs, ceremony, and daily life worldwide over the past six hundred years. This ambitious, landmark publication is essential reading, contributing a definitive classic to the existing scholarship on design, decorative arts, and material culture, while also introducing these subjects to new readers in a comprehensive, erudite book with widespread appeal.
About the Author
Pat Kirkham is a professor at the Bard Graduate Center, where Susan Weber is founder and director.