A glorious encyclopedia from expert Judith Miller, showcasing more than 3,000 years of design. From primitive pieces to elegant modernity, this definitive guide illustrates every style and form, with tips on how to recognise the key elements of each period. Featuring lavish, full-colour photographs throughout. Foreword by furniture designer and manufacturer David Linley. Judith is the ideal expert to guide both amateur and experienced collectors ...' Homes and Interiors
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Marry a well-established subject-matter expert to a publisher recognized for its lavish four-color and educational tomes, and the honeymoon will last forever. Antiques maven and collector Miller talks all about furniture in what could easily be dubbed the best reference book of 2005. Twelve information-packed chapters divide and conquer, starting with 4000 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E and ending with postcontemporary and modern in 1970 to the present. There is nary a second to pause and linger: page after page describes the period, its defining elements of style, and its famous artisans and books and offers historical time lines and a collection of sample chairs, tables, case pieces, desks, and the like. The 3,000 photographs are superb, each with brief description, date of manufacture, dimensions, provenance (when known), occasional price (from $200 to more than $450,000), and sometimes the dealer code. More than enough education to prompt an even larger stampede of collectors. Useful addresses, further reading, dealer codes, and glossary are appended. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Judith is the ideal expert to guide both amateur and experienced collectors Homes and Interiors
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Judith Miller began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University in Scotland. She has since extended and reinforced her knowledge of antiques and design through international research, becoming one of the world's leading experts in the field. In 1979 she co-founded the international bestseller Miller's Antiques Price Guide and has since written more than 100 books, which are held in high regard by collectors and dealers. Judith Miller appears regularly on TV and radio. She is an expert on the BBC's "Antiques Roadshow" and co-hosts the popular BBC TV series "The House Detectives," "ITV's "Antiques Trail," and Discovery's "It's Your Bid." She has appeared on "The Martha Stewart Show" and CNN. She is a regular lecturer and contributor to numerous newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times, BBC Homes & Antiques and House & Garden. She has lectured extensively, including at the V&A in London and the Smithsonian in Washington.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A few months ago, I found this book while browsing through the shelves at a local bookstore. The fantastic pictures and descriptions in the book ignited my interest in furniture history. This is not a how-to book, but if you want an understanding of the details that are characteristic of particular furniture styles -- as well as some background on the historical, political and social forces that influenced these designs -- you probably won't find a better reference manual.
The book covers furniture from around the world over a 3,000-year period and includes over 3,500 excellent photographs and illustrations. Regardless of your interests and tastes -- from Chippendale to Capellini or Newport to Newson -- you'll find examples and information on styles, history and biographies that will broaden your knowledge of furniture development.
Furniture has twelve chapters, covering styles from the ancient furniture of Egypt, Greece and Rome to European styles of the 17th to 19th centuries. There are also chapters on Chinese, South African and American furniture, as well as a discussion on contemporary designs and directions. Each chapter opens with an historical overview of the era being examined.
For each era, there is also a timeline of events that helps the reader understand factors that influenced each era's furniture designs and materials. The historical discussion in each chapter is followed by a section called "Elements of Style," where that era's prominent stylistic details are thoroughly examined, followed by examples of magnificent manifestations of furniture in different countries. Within each style, Miller presents the reader with an ongoing understanding of how the three basic furniture forms -- chairs, tables and case pieces -- evolved and who the influential makers were.
The appendices of this book are also noteworthy. They include:
* Anatomy of Furniture. Contains descriptions of many common furniture elements such as plinths, friezes, escutcheons and cross-banding.
* Useful Addresses.A listing of museums, galleries and historical buildings around the world.
* Further Reading. An extended list of books and publications on the subject.
* Dealer Codes. A list of identifying codes for dealers and auction houses that have been involved in the selling of many of the pieces featured in the book.
* Glossary. A six-page section containing valuable, concise definitions and descriptions of important furniture terms.
* Index. A well-cross-referenced index to individuals, countries, styles and furniture types presented in the book.
In short, Furniture shows in brilliant photographs and scholarly research how historical and social events influenced furniture development. This will be an excellent addition to your reference shelf or, better yet, a well-read and often-referenced display for your coffee table.
. . . Alan Young
The book covers furniture from around the world over a 3,000-year period and includes over 3,500 excellent photographs and illustrations. Regardless of your interests and tastes -- from Chippendale to Capellini or Newport to Newson -- you'll find examples and information on styles, history and biographies that will broaden your knowledge of furniture development.
Furniture has twelve chapters, covering styles from the ancient furniture of Egypt, Greece and Rome to European styles of the 17th to 19th centuries. There are also chapters on Chinese, South African and American furniture, as well as a discussion on contemporary designs and directions. Each chapter opens with an historical overview of the era being examined.
For each era, there is also a timeline of events that helps the reader understand factors that influenced each era's furniture designs and materials. The historical discussion in each chapter is followed by a section called "Elements of Style," where that era's prominent stylistic details are thoroughly examined, followed by examples of magnificent manifestations of furniture in different countries. Within each style, Miller presents the reader with an ongoing understanding of how the three basic furniture forms -- chairs, tables and case pieces -- evolved and who the influential makers were.
The appendices of this book are also noteworthy. They include:
* Anatomy of Furniture. Contains descriptions of many common furniture elements such as plinths, friezes, escutcheons and cross-banding.
* Useful Addresses.A listing of museums, galleries and historical buildings around the world.
* Further Reading. An extended list of books and publications on the subject.
* Dealer Codes. A list of identifying codes for dealers and auction houses that have been involved in the selling of many of the pieces featured in the book.
* Glossary. A six-page section containing valuable, concise definitions and descriptions of important furniture terms.
* Index. A well-cross-referenced index to individuals, countries, styles and furniture types presented in the book.
In short, Furniture shows in brilliant photographs and scholarly research how historical and social events influenced furniture development. This will be an excellent addition to your reference shelf or, better yet, a well-read and often-referenced display for your coffee table.
. . . Alan Young
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By L. Scinto
Format:Hardcover
This is an absolutely beautiful book. The photography is spectacular, all of the pieces are on a white background so you can really see the details. It has a lot of information accompanying the photos and covers all the major time periods. I would like to use this as a text for the History of Interiors class I teach.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Hala Khalil
Format:Hardcover
This book is really the reference book for furniture and has a Wide variety of furniture types covered! About 99% of the books pages contain Beautiful and 100% clear Photographs.
The only real dissappointment is that the book containsonly one page for each of the 3 Ancient civilizations mentioned in the book, the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, and Ancient Chinese. If it had a large variety like other types of furniture periods covered, this book would be the greatest Furniture and Prop Reference book.
The only real dissappointment is that the book containsonly one page for each of the 3 Ancient civilizations mentioned in the book, the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, and Ancient Chinese. If it had a large variety like other types of furniture periods covered, this book would be the greatest Furniture and Prop Reference book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Illustrated
This is a really great book and it is very well illustrated. It is thorough and a very good quality production. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sol
4.0 out of 5 stars
Seems Good
My dad is a professional woodworker and has many books on furniture. It said something about been authored by someone from the Antiques Roadshow program on PBS. Read more
Published 2 months ago by John Day
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible
This book is PACKED with information. It is an impressive, seriously MUST-HAVE reference book for interior designers! Should be required reading for design students
Published 3 months ago by VIKING MOM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome reference book
I am a design student and this book has helped me tremendously. The Information provided in this book with assist me in school and with my future career in design. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Melissa Kearby
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unexpected Surprise
I ordered this book for a class and was expecting the larger hardcover with jacket. The book I was shipped had no jacket cover and was smaller. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Theresa Hunt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my mother. She is a big antiques road show fan, with a particular interest in furniture. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Roth
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the furniture aficionado....or one on the way! :)
This is a great furniture resource. It exactly delivers on the title.
Images are ALL fantastic -- very big (and pleasant) surprise. Read more
Images are ALL fantastic -- very big (and pleasant) surprise. Read more
Published on April 20, 2010 by Jonas Hanna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Furniture: World Styles from Classical to contemporary
A professional Interior Designer of 22 years, I also teach Interior Design at the University level. I am proud to require this as our textbook for History of Furniture. Read more
Published on November 12, 2009 by Pat, LA Native
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect
The book is everything I thought it would be and more! I bought the item new, however the book cover did have a scratch on it. Read more
Published on February 10, 2009 by K. Ender
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Illustrated
This is a beautiful book illustrating every style imaginable in chronological order. An easy way to learn about style. Worth every cent.
Published on August 18, 2008 by Susan Thomson
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