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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost complete, October 4, 2009
This review is from: Art Deco Complete: The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s (Hardcover)
Although the book is called Art Deco Complete you should know that the editorial is really focused on the European fine art aspects of this wonderfully exuberant style. It doesn't cover architecture or the way the style was used for commercial products. Having said that I found the book a fascinating overview of Deco. Duncan has written several books on the style and this huge volume probably has much taken from all of these. His book American Art Deco covers the style in the US where he does include architecture, graphics and commercial products.
The book is in two sections: Media and Masters with sections on: Furniture and Interiors; Sculpture; Paintings, Graphics, Posters, Bookbinding; Glass; Ceramics; Lighting; Silver, Metal, Lacquer, Enamel; Jewelry. The second part is an A-Z of Designers, Artists and Manufacturers. The last pages have reasonable bibliography, index and a couple of pages I found useful: a glossary of French technical terms.
Each of the sections in the first part (304 pages) is divided into the leading artists with large photos of their work. In fact the images (over a thousand with most in
color) throughout the pages are something, I feel, that lifts the title above many other books on the subject. The four Chiparus figures on 108-109 just jump of the page, similarly the quite stunning bookbinding on 144-145 or the Puiforat clocks on 296 -297 will really hold your attention. The second part (212 pages) design index also presents large photos to go names. The index does broaden out to include some commercial creative folk like Breuer, Kem, Loewy, Rohde or Russel Wright.
Author Duncan has managed to write what might end up as the standard work on the fine art aspects of Art Deco though I still think the word Complete in the title is rather misleading, it is after all a decorative art style and its influence traveled much further than the other `ism' styles from the early part of the last century. Art Deco 1910-1939 by Benton and Wood is a book that justifiably could have included the word Complete in its title. Own both books and you'll have the complete works.
***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Lovely Book For The Novice Or The Connoisseur Alike, October 12, 2009
This review is from: Art Deco Complete: The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s (Hardcover)
Once again, expert Alastair Duncan has authored a book which is not only visually lovely, but one which is packed (and at 500+ pages it is truly packed) with detailed narratives and descriptions, similar to his other books on Tiffany Studios lamps and similar topics.
This is not just another "coffee table" book. It serves as the most highly advanced "primer and beyond" for anyone who likes fine furniture and decorative arts produced during the Art Deco period. Throughout the book, the best and most appropriate photos (many of them as good or better than what one can see in a top auction or museum exhibition catalog) jump off the page to create the complete and scholarly narrative from Duncan on the various pieces, artists and background material. The photographer (s) responsible for the photos and their editing with Mr. Duncan, is to be commended for their knowledge of the subject, as well as for their sensitive and artistic eye.
As a collector and appraiser of fine American decorative art, including items from the Art Deco era, I highly recommend this book. At a time when an auction catalogs cost $40-50. and run-of-the-mill books on various art and antique related topics can cost $75-150. easily, this book is a bargain even at the full retail price. It is a great reference and learning source for anyone who collects, sells, or otherwise is involved with items from the Art Deco period. As a book which is simply lovely to explore on the sole merits of lovely photos and interesting and well written text, it is a book that would be at home in anyone's library.
There might be those who will fault this weighty book for various things - from being "incomplete," not having the title they felt would be more appropriate, or containing material or even photos they might have read or seen elsewhere. In the end, I have never seen a book that is all things to all people. In my experience with books on the arts and decorations, (American, Asian or European), it is rare to find a book as complete as this, with the level of photos, accurate information and ease of "navigation." Duncan's decades of experience and study in the area of Art Deco comes shining through in this book in many areas. Small wonder his other books on Tiffany and early 20th century decorative arts are in high demand by collectors, dealers and institutional libraries worldwide. It is hard for me to imagine devoting so many years to educating people in a clear and beautifully illustrated manner time after time. The effort and years that must have gone into compiling and editing this beautiful and very well done book should be apparent to the reader and I hope a great source of pride to the author. Well done Duncan! This book will make its way to more than one person on my long list of business and personal friends this holiday season.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not So Complete!, April 2, 2010
This review is from: Art Deco Complete: The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s (Hardcover)
Art Deco Complete: The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s is overflowing with wonderful pictures, and a represents a wealth of accurate digestible knowledge for anyone interested in the period. However the title "Complete" is a misnomer, and book completely omits of exterior architecture. I can't tell you why the author left out some of the most iconic and easily identifiable Art Deco structures worldwide, but the exclusion is a noticeable even to the most casual reader. Still, overall, this is a wonderful book and will provide many hours of enjoyment. 4/5 Stars.
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