In many different parts of the world modern furniture elements have served as material expressions of power in the post-war era. They were often meant to express an international and in some respects apolitical modern language, but when placed in a sensitive setting or a meaningful architectural context, they were highly capable of negotiating or manipulating ideological messages. The agency of modern furniture was often less overt than that of political slogans or statements, but as the chapters in this book reveal, it had the potential of becoming a persuasive and malleable ally in very diverse politically charged arenas, including embassies, governmental ministries, showrooms, exhibitions, design schools, libraries, museums and even prisons. This collection of chapters examines the consolidating as well as the disrupting force of modern furniture in the global context between 1945 and the mid-1970s. The volume shows that key to understanding this phenomenon is the study of the national as well as transnational systems through which it was launched, promoted and received. While some chapters squarely focus on individual furniture elements as vehicles communicating political and social meaning, others consider the role of furniture within potent sites that demand careful negotiation, whether between governments, cultures, or buyer and seller. In doing so, the book explicitly engages different scholarly fields: design history, history of interior architecture, architectural history, cultural history, diplomatic and political history, postcolonial studies, tourism studies, material culture studies, furniture history, and heritage and preservation studies. Taken together, the narratives and case studies compiled in this volume offer a better understanding of the political agency of post-war modern furniture in its original historical context. At the same time, they will enrich current debates on reuse, relocation or reproduction of some of these elements.

The Craft of Veneering starts with a simple panel made from a single piece of veneer and progresses through more complex veneer assemblies like bookmatching, bent laminations, and veneering curved panels, edging, and crossbanding. At each step, all the information needed to complete the included sample projects using each of the difference methods is provided. Introduces the novice or professional woodworker to a range of veneering techniques from simple to complex that can be used to produce stunning patterns that would be impossible to achieve with solid wood. Outlines all the tools and techniques you'll need to work with veneer (including vacuum bagging and using clamps and cauls). Includes chapters on the fascinating arts of marquetry and parquetry. An illustrated appendix presents enlarged photos of 37 species of wood veneer. Veneer can be incorporated in a variety of ways into furniture construction and other woodworking projects and encompasses a whole range of technical complexity. Everything about using veneer--from how it's made, why to use it, how to use it, and how to combine various techniques to create exciting new work--is explained and lavishly illustrated.

Jennifer Way's study The Politics of Vietnamese Craft uncovers a little-known chapter in the history of American cultural diplomacy, in which Vietnamese craft production was encouraged and shaped by the US State Department as an object for consumption by middle class America. Way explores how American business and commerce, department stores, the art world and national museums variously guided the marketing and meanings of Vietnamese craft in order to advance American diplomatic and domestic interests. Conversely, American uses of Vietnamese craft provide an example of how the United States aimed to absorb post-colonial South Vietnam into the 'Free World', in a Cold War context of American anxiety about communism spreading throughout Southeast Asia. Way focuses in particular on the part played by the renowned American designer Russel Wright, contracted by the US International Cooperation Administration's aid programs for South Vietnam to survey the craft industry in South Vietnam and manage its production, distribution and consumption abroad and at home. Way shows how Wright and his staff brought American ideas about Vietnamese history and culture to bear in managing the making of Vietnamese craft.

Utilizing fewer tools and expressing a get-it-done attitude, this useful manual makes the violin-making process easy for the everyday crafter. Using step-by-step instructions and hundreds of detailed drawings and color photographs, the obscure language and unfamiliar techniques of instrument-making are given a populist overhaul in this newly revised and expanded resource. Requiring only basic tools and everyday woods, aspiring luthiers can begin each new project with full-size component cutouts, which are included for each instrument piece. An inspiring full-color gallery of violins made by other amateur crafters is also included. From cutting and shaping each piece to assembly and performance, the theory that only elite crafters can make wood instruments is debunked.

First published in 1969, English Cursive Book Hands rapidly established itself as a key resource for the study and teaching of palaeography. It covers the changes in handwriting that arose from the mid-twelfth century, tracking the growth and development of the cursive script that came to dominate book production in medieval England. This reprint is a re-issue of the 1979 second edition published by Scolar Press. This study sets out the nature of the developments which took place in English book hands, from the mid-twelfth century, largely determined by two factors: the increasing demand for books, and the increase in the size of the works to be copied. The secularization of learning and the rise of the universities created a voracious demand for texts and commentaries. At the same time improving standards of literacy led to a demand from a wide range of patrons for books of a more general nature. In such circumstances speed and ease of writing became increasingly important. Scribes began to use different kinds of handwriting for different classes of books, and as a result a new 'hierarchy' of scripts arose, each with its own sequence of development. Towards the end of the thirteenth century the cursive script which had recently been evolved for the preparation of documents was introduced into books. A hierarchy also arose in the cursive script itself, as scribes began to devise more than one way of writing depending on the degree of formality they required. Eventually the varieties of cursive usurped the functions of other scripts in the copying of nearly all kinds of books and documents. English Cursive Book Hands illustrates the developments which took place in the cursive handwriting used in England for writing books.

Chinoiserie, a decorative style inspired by the art of the Far East, gripped Britain from the late seventeenth to the early nineteenth century. Despite taking its name from the French word for 'Chinese', the style also incorporated influences from other Asian countries, helping to shape the period's popular fantasy of the 'exotic Orient'. Wealthy consumers jostled to obtain imported wallpaper, lacquered cabinets and hand-painted porcelain, while domestic manufacturers such as Royal Worcester and Chippendale met demand with mass-produced items of their own. Though interest in the style waned as the Gothic Revival took hold, many examples of Chinoiserie have been preserved. In this beautifully illustrated book, Richard Hayman tells the story of this fascinating phenomenon, and explores the profound impact of Chinoiserie on the material culture of the West.

While often less celebrated than their male counterparts, women have been vital contributors to the arts for centuries. Works by women of the frontier represent treasured accomplishments of American culture and still impress us today, centuries after their creation. The breadth of creative expression by women of this time period is as remarkable as the women themselves. In Frontier Women and Their Art: A Chronological Encyclopedia, Mary Ellen Snodgrass explores the rich history of women's creative expression from the beginning of the Federalist era to the end of the nineteenth century. Focusing particularly on Western artistic style, the importance of cultural exchange, and the preservation of history, this book captures a wide variety of artistic accomplishment, including *Folk music, frontier theatrics, and dancing *Quilting, stitchery, and beadwork *Sculpture and adobe construction *Writing, translations, and storytelling Individual talents highlighted in this volume include basketry by Nellie Charlie, acting by Blanche Bates, costuming by Annie Oakley, diary entries by Emily French, translations by Sacajawea, flag designs by Nancy Kelsey, photography by Jennie Ross Cobb, and singing by Lotta Crabtree. Each entry includes a comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources, as well as further readings on the female artists and their respective crafts. This text also defines and provides examples of technical terms such as applique, libretto, grapevine, farce, coil pots, and quilling. With its informative entries and extensive examinations of artistic talent, Frontier Women and Their Art is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in learning about some of the most influential and talented women in the arts.

In response to popular demand for this classic reference, this enlarged and renewed edition will be even more valued by historians and collectors. Long considered the "bible" by silverplate collectors, it has continued to be the most comprehensive reference in the silverplate world. This one volume contains a complete history of silverplating materials, the refining process, and design changes. Drawn from many sources, this lovely book has color illustrations as well as over 500 line cuts and black and white photographs. There is also a chapter on the care and restoration of silverplate that contains much helpful advice for the collector. This new edition features--for the first time--a price guide of current values.

Wire jewelry has never been more popular--but you've never seen projects like this before! In Fine Art Wire Weaving, award-winning author Sarah Thompson shares her secrets to creating wire jewelry that's nothing short of spectacular. Using super-fine wires to create 20 delicate, sophisticated pieces, you'll achieve that "wow" factor, all under the guidance of an expert jewelry teacher. You'll learn how to work with these fine wires successfully, as well as what to do when one of your projects goes awry. Using techniques in layering, symmetry, and dimensional shaping, you'll come away with a strong foundation in wire working so you can create your own one-of-a-kind pieces. Paired with beautiful, 4-color photographs, Thompson gives you step-by-step instructions to creating jewelry to pretty to keep for yourself-but that you won't want to give away!

Pyrography is the art of burning a design into wood using a heated metallic point. Most books on the market take a fairly traditional approach to the subject, limited to using pure burning onto a range of wooden surfaces. The Art of Pyrography goes far beyond this. Cherry Ferris takes the subject to new heights, incorporating mixed media, unusual supports and innovative techniques to elevate the craft to an artform. The book is suitable for beginners as well as more advanced pyrographers, and is well-suited to artists from other media who want to experiment with new ideas and incorporate pyrography into their practice. Pyrography machines are easily obtainable from online suppliers and major craft stores. The Art of Pyrography begins with an overview and history of the subject, a tools and equipment section, an introduction to the basic techniques and information on surfaces that you can safely burn. The book moves onto how to transfer designs onto surfaces and incorporate a mixed media approach by looking at shading techniques, introducing colour into your work, playing with backgrounds and how to finish, protect and display your finished pieces. Four shorter mini burns complement ten longer step-by-step projects that walk the reader through the techniques and materials used. A troubleshooting and safety section is also included, making this a one-stop shop to get all your pyrography questions answered. Chapters include: Colour: Incorporating coloured pencils, paint, and inks Using resin to finish your work - which results in a beautiful glass-like finish Using gold leaf to add a touch of magic.

The first major publication devoted to weaver and designer Dorothy Liebes, reinstating her as one of the most influential American designers of the twentieth century At the time of her death, Dorothy Liebes (1897–1972) was called “the greatest modern weaver and the mother of the twentieth-century palette.� As a weaver, she developed a distinctive combination of unusual materials, lavish textures, and brilliant colors that came to be known as the “Liebes Look.� Yet despite her prolific career and recognition during her lifetime, Liebes is today considerably less well known than the men with whom she often collaborated, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Henry Dreyfuss, and Edward Durrell Stone. Her legacy also suffered due to the inability of the black-and-white photography of the period to represent her richly colored and textured works. Extensively researched and illustrated with full-color, accurate reproductions, this important publication examines Liebes’s widespread impact on twentieth-century design. Essays explore major milestones of her career, including her close collaborations with major interior designers and architects to create custom textiles, the innovative and experimental design studio where she explored new and unusual materials, her use of fabrics to enhance interior lighting, and her collaborations with fashion designers, including Clare Potter and Bonnie Cashin. Ultimately, this book reinstates Liebes at the pinnacle of modern textile design alongside such recognized figures as Anni Albers and Florence Knoll. Published in association with Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum  Exhibition Schedule: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (July 7, 2023–February 4, 2024)  

A beautifully illustrated guide to the world of Victorian stained glass and its manufacturers and designers. Victorian stained glass - magnificent, colourful and artistic - adorns countless British churches, municipal buildings and homes. Across the decades, several artistic movements influenced these designs, from the Gothic Revival, through the Arts and Crafts Movement and into Art Nouveau as a new century dawned. Historian Trevor Yorke shows how craftsmen re-learned the lost medieval art of colouring, painting and assembling stained glass windows - but also, in this age of industry, how windows were templated and mass produced. Showcasing the exquisite glass generated by famous designers such as A.W.N. Pugin, Pre-Raphaelites William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, and by leading manufacturers such as Clayton and Bell, this beautifully illustrated book introduces the reader to many wonderful examples of Victorian stained glass and where it can be found.

The story of an innovative designer and farsighted art entrepreneur and the important role he played in the dissemination of 19th-century Aestheticism This book follows the phenomenal rise of Daniel Cottier (1838-1891) from an apprentice coach painter in Glasgow to the founder of Cottier & Co., a fine and decorative arts business with branches in London, New York, Sydney and Melbourne. This gifted designer and brilliant art entrepreneur keenly spotted one of the key aspects of late nineteenth-century bourgeois culture - its focus on family, home and church - and seized the artistic and commercial opportunities of the building and decorating boom that it brought about. Cottier was a proponent of the Aesthetic movement, an international trend in the history of culture, art and design from the mid-1860s to the late 1890s: he understood the era's desire for beauty and realised the economic possibilities of its commoditisation. Beyond biography, therefore, this book illuminates a significant event of late nineteenth-century cultural history - Aestheticism's cult of beauty meeting with the bourgeoisie's financial ability to possess it. Distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

Silversmithing for Jewellery Makers is a lusciously illustrated book that offers an authoritative, inspirational insight into the art and craft of silver jewellery making for today's artisan. Now updated with new information, project inspiration and profiles of renowned jewellers, this remains the go-to book on silver jewellery making. Covering all the main skills, treatments and techniques, this comprehensive guide leaves nothing out. From soldering to engraving, every technique is explained with a detailed overview, followed by a carefully-illustrated step-by-step tutorial. Traditional techniques such as filigree are examined alongside contemporary designs and profiles of world-renowned jewellers, updated in this edition to also feature Cynthia Eid, Regine Schwarzer and Ute Decker. A treasure trove of useful tips and information, the book also includes extensive sections on materials, tools and health and safety. An invaluable resource for professionals, a must-have guide for beginners and a unique source of inspiration for all levels of jewellery makers and designers, this book guarantees a strong position on the backlist.

For apprentices and amateur metalworkers, this book is a practical, hands-on guide to engineering benchwork that teaches all the valuable hand tool skills and procedures for files, punches, hand filers, and more. Well-illustrated with concise technical diagrams, tables, and black and white photos, you'll learn all the tricks and gain a solid foundation in the basics of engineering benchwork that will become second nature over the course of your career as a metalworker. Not only are these proper practices essential knowledge to get started in the industry, but they will also save you spoiled work and tools.

Animal Puzzles for the Scroll Saw - 2nd Edition is a newly expanded version of the wildly popular pattern book that scroll saw artists have come to love With over 50 patterns for upright standing and interlocking puzzles, woodworkers will have plenty of charming puzzles to sell at craft shows or to give to loved ones as special gifts. And with a handy getting started section that includes information to ensure success, new scrollers will learn how to choose wood, blades, to transfer patterns and more. Experienced scrollers will find useful information to customize patterns and to create their own patterns from personal photographs. New realistic patterns include a playful scene of 4 cats, a smart beagle, a lovely cairn terrier, a soulful American cocker spaniel, a fun rough collie, an alligator, adorable panda bear, Frisian pony, caribou, sly red fox, bison and others - each with full color photographs of the finished puzzles.

A great finish can make even a simple project look terrific. A bad finish can ruin the most well-built, sophisticated piece of furniture. Finishing can be a daunting and mystifying task to many woodworkers and DIYers who fear wrecking their projects at this late stage in the process. This collection of articles from Fine Woodworking brings together the best information on a rich variety of finishing techniques. Nowadays, finishing wood doesn't just embrace fine clear finishes like shellac and French polishing, but also bright pigmented lacquers, dyes and stains, milk paint, and crackled paint. Finishing Wood features a whole section on the hot new trend of coloring wood. Also included is timeless information on preparing a surface before you apply a finish (a critical first step) as well as tried-and-true methods for applying all the traditional finishes, whether by brush or by spraying.

An inspirational, hands-on how-to guide for making and praying with beads, for people of all faiths and traditions. In stories and pictures, this book shows how people of all faith traditions use prayer beads as a spiritual tool and a means of expressing their creativity. Every major world religion has a tradition of praying with beads and all are explored here, including the history and use of beads and specific prayers. Describes in detail and with diagrams how to make sets of prayer beads for personal use.

Co-published in Association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London This book is a timely and engaging introduction to the way that artists working in all media think about craft. Workmanship is key to today's visual arts, when high 'production values' are becoming increasingly commonplace. Yet craft's centrality to contemporary art has received little serious attention from critics and historians. Dispensing with cliched arguments that craft is art, Adamson persuasively makes a case for defining craft in a more nuanced fashion. The interesting thing about craft, he argues, is that it is perceived to be 'inferior' to art. The book consists of an overview of various aspects of this second-class identity - supplementarity, sensuality, skill, the pastoral, and the amateur. It also provides historical case studies analysing craft's role in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, design, contemporary art, and the crafts themselves. Thinking Through Craft will be essential reading for anyone interested in craft or the broader visual arts.

Roger Billcliffe’s ground-breaking catalogue raisonné of the furniture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh first appeared over four decades ago.

This fourth edition has been completely revised and updated to take account of the host of discoveries and developments in Mackintosh scholarship that have taken place since the book’s first publication.

Among the 900 illustrations, many items that were previously shown in black and white now appear in colour.

An impressive and stimulating work of scholarship, this is the only comprehensive work on the furniture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the most important British designer and architect since Robert Adam.

After an introduction in which Billcliffe perceptively analyses Mackintosh’s career and scholarly interpretations of it, the main part of the book is arranged as a chronological catalogue of Mackintosh’s work as a furniture designer. In a working life of only 25 years, Mackintosh designed over 300 items of furniture, a number all the more impressive given that the majority of pieces were produced in the periods 1897–1905 and 1916–18.

As well as the entries on individual designs and pieces, the catalogue includes essays on all Mackintosh’s major commissions for interiors and on his designs in general at specific periods of his career.

Contemporary photographs are used extensively to show interiors (many of them now destroyed) as they were at the time of their completion. Untraced pieces of furniture are listed by reference to the job books that record the details of designs by Mackintosh or the firms of which he was a member.

For at least 150 years, Thomas Chippendale has been synonymous with beautifully made eighteenth-century furniture in a variety of styles - Rococo, Chinese, Gothic and Neoclassical. Born in Otley, Yorkshire, in 1718, Chippendale rose to fame because of his revolutionary design book, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director, published in 1754. That same year he set up his famous workshops in St Martin's Lane, creating some of the most magnificent furniture ever made in Britain. This beautifully illustrated history focuses on Britain's most famous furniture maker and designer, including the worldwide phenomenon 'Chippendale style' that became popular in Europe, North America and Asia after his death in 1779. Today, his influence lives on with the ongoing production of 'Chippendale' furniture, while the eighteenth-century originals are selling for millions at auction.