Customer Reviews

Venetian Glass Mosaics: 1860-1917

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This is a lovely book. The pictures are superb and it covers very clearly the history of glass-making in Venice during the late 19th and early 20th century. Major names and companies (Salviati, Seguso, Barovier, Toso, but not Venini) and the main styles of glass are discussed. A must for anyone wanting to know more about the Italian glass of this period. I would have liked to see in index, though. It has the feel of a much more expensive book.

Sheldon Barr is increasingly skilled in both writing and visual presentation in this addition to his impressive shelf of books and articles. He expands from his previous book on Venetian blown glass to the glass mosaic productions emanating from that city. He has told his story in parallel tracks of the technique and artistry of the medium, and the maneuvering and machinations of the people involved. The combination is lively, entertaining, and informative. As a relative newcomer to this field, I now feel significantly better educated for having read this book.

Readers can read and enjoy this beautiful book with confidence that they are hearing from a true source of knowledge. Sheldon Barr is a widely recognized expert in this and several other fields of fine art, and his opinions are sought by the world's great museums. Fortunately for readers, he combines this knowledge with a felicitous pen, so that the beauty of this art can be even better appreciated. This is a bargain.

Venetian Glass: The Magnificent Mosaics 1860-1917

Anyone who is interested in antique Venetian glass needs this book. Sheldon Barr has researched the subject thoroughly and provides information in a concise, direct manner. It has taken years of work to put together this reference book, and it could only be accomplished by someone who truly loves and appreciates the subject matter, and it shows. I look forward to Mr. Barr's next book.

This book exhibits the meticulous scholarship and taste one would expect from Sheldon Barr, who is unexcelled as an historian of art and antiques.