Customer Reviews

Design and the Decorative Arts

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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.