Design and the Decorative Arts: Britain 1500-1900 (Victoria and Albert Museum Studies) [Hardcover]

Michael Snodin (Author), John Styles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Victoria and Albert Museum Studies | Publication Date: October 1, 2001

A Victoria and Albert Museum Publication

Unmatched in its breadth of coverage, with over 1,000 stunning illustrations, this important new book tells the story of British design and decorative arts over four centuries. From the time of Henry VII through the reign of Queen Victoria, British designers soared in influence, creating a rich diversity of furniture, textiles, silver, metalwork, and porcelains as well as painting, sculpture, prints, and drawings.

Divided into sections on the Tudor and Stuart, Georgian, and Victorian periods-and treating style, taste, fashion, and innovation in each-this book accompanies the opening of the Victoria and Albert Museum's refurbished British Galleries. History buffs, interior designers, and anyone with an affinity for the decorative arts will find this an invaluable resource.
1,080 illustrations in full color, 480 pages, 93/4 x 111/4"

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This abundantly illustrated book offers a fascinating history of the evolution of British design over four centuries. Efforts by the Victoria & Albert Museum to clarify and substantiate the importance of decorative arts have culminated in the opening of its new British Galleries. Snodin (department of prints, drawings, and paintings, V&A) and Styles (head of postgraduate studies, V&A) have produced this accompanying catalog, the definitive work on the evolution of British design. Divided into three historical sections Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian the book deals with those objects that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting the needs and tastes of the time, as well as the social and historical processes that took place in their creation. Covering every topic from the decorated halls of Hampton Court Palace to Wedgwood china to fashion magazines, this is, perhaps, the most complete resource in the field. Drawing upon the splendid design resources of the V&A, the authors have done a great service to the study of artistry and innovation of design. They also offer the reader an elegant look at the role of changing tastes and technology in the objects of everyday life. Highly recommended. Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Michael Snodin heads the designs section in the Department of Prints, Drawings, and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
John Styles is head of postgraduate studies at the V&A.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 488 pages
• Publisher: Victoria & Albert Museum; First edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810965860
• ISBN-13: 978-0810965867
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 10.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Comparison With Similar Books, March 24, 2011

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This review is from: Design and the Decorative Arts: Britain 1500-1900 (Victoria and Albert Museum Studies) (Hardcover)

Design and the Decorative Arts: Britain 1500-1900 covers a broader spectrum owned by the V&A but only those items designed and produced in Britain. Additionally, historical houses are included. The book is broken down into eras and categories. I learned a lot from the commentary about why the British Decorative Arts differ from their European cousins.

A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum features 200 items from ancient to modern in color and usually full page. The commentary reveals details to enhance the experience. The first part of the book is mostly B&W photos from the past and some drawings.

When I toured the Victoria and Albert Museum in London I was disappointed that the available books were limited to specific genres. These two books have given me at least some coverage of this vast museum.

I also own Judith Miller's Decorative Arts which is spectacularly visual and covers just about everything found in aristocratic homes and museums. It does not include architecture, clothing, or paintings. It provides multiple examples of specific styles from many countries. While the text gives a brief description, it is the photos of individual pieces that trumps every other book I have seen with the exception of those devoted to a single manufacturer.