Furniture: A Concise History (World of Art) [Paperback]

Edward Lucie-Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: World of Art | Publication Date: February 17, 1985

"Rich in information … sharp in perception."—The Times Educational Supplement

In this illuminating history, text and illustrations combine to offer a view of furniture not as a succession of collectors’ pieces, but as a statement about the society that created it. Edward Lucie-Smith offers insights into almost every period, from the prehistoric to the postmodern—from Neolithic tables to 1960s conversation pits, and from the ceremonial chairs of Egypt in the thirteenth century BC to the designs of John Makepeace. 190 illustrations, 20 in color

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edward Lucie-Smith is the author of several books, among them Sexuality in Western Art, Symbolist Art, Latin American Art of the Twentieth Century, and The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art Terms, all published in the World of Art series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (February 17, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500201722
• ISBN-13: 978-0500201725
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Furniture Design
  • #91 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Furniture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Social History, August 15, 2001

By 

Ebbighausen (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Furniture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

Lucie-Smith addresses more than just stylistic developments in this book. He makes it easy to understand furniture history as it relates to social and political developments over time. For example, the advent of the printing press had a strong impact on furniture design in the 16th century. Of course! This all makes perfect sense now. Lucie-Smith's book is a great primer for those interested in furniture history.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise History of Furniture, October 21, 2005

By 

John Paul Medved "J. Medved" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Furniture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

This is a well written and engaging book about the history of furniture from the Egyptian civilization to the present. It is full of examples and great photographs and emphasizes the meaning of furniture within the context of the society and the psychology of the individual.

3.0 out of 5 stars okay but outdated, May 3, 2010

By 

ogden "ogden" (Mid-Atlantic USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Furniture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

I bought this book as a short refresher course of my furniture history knowledge learned in college. It did provide that refresher but I found it lacking somewhat.

Despite being initially published in 1985, the book largely stops at mid-century modern (mid-50s/60s). Even the mid-century history is scant compared to earlier eras.