How Venetian glass influenced American artists and patrons during the late nineteenth century Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass presents a broad exploration of American engagement with Venice's art world in the late nineteenth century. During this time, Americans in Venice not only encountered a floating city of palaces, museums, and churches, but also countless shop windows filled with dazzling specimens of brightly colored glass. Though the Venetian island of Murano had been a leading center of glass production since the Middle Ages, productivity bloomed between 1860 and 1915. This revival coincided with Venice's popularity as a destination on the Grand Tour, and resulted in depictions of Italian glassmakers and glass objects by leading American artists. In turn, their patrons visited glass furnaces and collected museum-quality, hand-blown goblets decorated with designs of flowers, dragons, and sea creatures, as well as mosaics, lace, and other examples of Venetian skill and creativity. This lavishly illustrated book examines exquisitely crafted glass pieces alongside paintings, watercolors, and prints of the same era by American artists who found inspiration in Venice, including Thomas Moran, Maria Oakey Dewing, Robert Frederick Blum, Charles Caryl Coleman, Maurice Prendergast, and Maxfield Parrish, in addition to John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler. Italian glass had a profound influence on American art, literature, and design theory, as well as the period's ideas about gender, labor, and class relations. For artists such as Sargent and Whistler, and their patrons, glass objects were aesthetic emblems of history, beauty, and craftsmanship. From the furnaces of Murano to American parlors and museums, Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass brings to life the imaginative energy and unique creations that beckoned tourists and artists alike. Published in association with the Smithsonian American Art Museum Exhibition Schedule Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC October 8, 2021-May 8, 2022 Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas June 25-September 11, 2022

Whether there is a fire burning or not, there is something about a fireplace that gives a room warmth. The mantel we build around the fireplace becomes a focal point of decorating, bringing to all that surrounds a sense of elegance. In this new book Steve Penberthy and Gary Jones help the homeowner build a classic fireplace from stock materials and moldings and tools found in the most basic of workshops. From measurement to the finished product, they take the reader through the complete process. Every step is illustrated with a color photograph and a concise instruction. In the back are drawings and photographs of many design variations that can be made using the same building techniques. This is the, without a doubt, the best book ever published on building mantels and will be a welcome addition to the woodworker's library.

This revelatory book shows how the influential and controversial Empress Dowager Cixi used art and architecture to establish her authority Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), who ruled China from 1861 until her death in 1908, is a subject of fascination and controversy, at turns vilified for her political maneuvering and admired for modernizing China. In addition to being an astute politician, she was an earnest art patron, and this beautifully illustrated book explores a wide range of objects, revealing how the empress dowager used art and architecture to solidify her rule. Cixi's art commissions were innovative in the way that they unified two distant conceptions of gender in China at the time, demonstrating her strength and wisdom as a monarch while highlighting her identity as a woman and mother. Artful Subversion examines commissioned works, including portrait paintings and photographs, ceramics, fashion, architecture, and garden design, as well as work Cixi created, such as painting and calligraphy. The book is a compelling study of how a powerful matriarch at once subverted and upheld the Qing imperial patriarchy.

A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Brush Painting teaches this ancient art form in an easy-to-understand way--no prior experience necessary! As one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world, Chinese brush painting has been used for thousands of years to create images that harness the imagination, and capture the inner spirit of a subject--be it an animal, landscape or tree. All you need for this simple, but beautiful, art form is black watercolor paint, white paper, a brush and some creativity! An introduction tells you about the history of brush painting, and also gives tips for holding your brush, achieving different shades and collecting your materials. After that, the book takes you step-by-step through more than 35 hands-on activities--including basic strokes, putting them together to create an object or scene, the importance of leaving open space and even writing some Chinese calligraphy. With the help of this book, artists of all ages can learn to paint: Bamboo stalks, branches and leaf clusters A knotted pine tree and its delicate needles A snail with a spiral shell and little body peeking out from underneath A waterfall gliding down the side of a mountain And much more! You'll find that this activity will help you learn to center your mind and thoughts, and your masterpieces will be inspiring decorations or great gifts for friends and family. Get started learning this "soft martial art!"

Jewelry was worn by ancient Egyptians at every level of society and, like their modern descendants, they prized it for its aesthetic value, as a way to adorn and beautify the body. It was also a conspicuous signifier of wealth, status, and power. But jewelry in ancient Egypt served another fundamental purpose: its wearers saw it as a means to absorb positive magical and divine powers-to protect the living, and the dead, from the malignant forces of the unseen. The types of metals or stones used by craftsmen were magically important, as were the colors of the materials, and the exact positioning of all the elements in a design. Ancient Egyptian Jewelry: 50 Masterpieces of Art and Design draws on the exquisite collections in the archaeological museums of Cairo to tell the story of three thousand years of jewelry-making, from simple amulets to complex ritual jewelry to the spells that protected the king in life and assisted his journey to the Otherworld in death. Gold, silver, carnelian, turquoise, and lapis lazuli were just some of the precious materials used in many of the pieces, and this stunningly illustrated book beautifully showcases the colors and exceptional artistry and accomplishment that make ancient Egyptian jewelry so dazzling to this day.

Spectacular centerpieces, tea services, and candelabras are among the gorgeous silver pieces shown in this new, beautifully illustrated book. These ware were made of coin and sterling silver, and range from compotes, pitchers, and serving trays to gravy boats and butter dishes. All of the top manufacturers of the 19th and 20th centuries are well represented, with photographs and discussions of pieces by Gorham, Kirk, Steiff and Shreve, among others. Eras of silver design are explained, with striking examples provided for Empire style, Gothic Revival, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Colonial Revival, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Art Modernism. With over 300 detailed photographs of some of the most wonderful silver hollowware ever produced, this book is a must for collectors who love to dine in formal style. Each piece is described in detail, and a current value guide is provided.

The mid-20th century was one of the most popular, collectable and dynamic periods of international design. Drawing on the inventive style of the era, this range of gift products features exclusive illustrations of iconic mid-century designs, from Eames chairs to Poul Henningsen lamps and George Nelson clocks, all rendered in a distinctive graphic style. Featuring over ninety pieces by sixty designers and design duos, Mid-Century Modern: Icons of Design is arranged chronologically, and includes chairs, tables, storage, lighting, and product and industrial design. Each spread includes a graphic depiction of the piece and a concise text. The models, materials and designers index offers easy reference through the book.

Initially promoted as "the answer to the housewife's prayer," the gleaming chromium, brass, and copper houseware specialties of the Chase Brass & Copper Co. today stand as icons of American Art Deco style. This book chronicles the entire Specialty line produced by Chase from 1930 to 1942 and profiles the industrial designers who made it possible, including such pioneers as Lurelle Guild, Walter Von Nessen, Russel Wright, and Harry Laylon. An essential reference for Deco collectors, this book features 650 full-color catalog and historical photos, vintage advertising, a complete cross-reference listing, and a price guide. This in-depth look at the unique Chase blend of practicality and streamlined modern design will appeal to all admirers of twentieth-century decorative arts.

This mammoth catalog of American furniture manufacturers shows, for the first time in modern publication, the styles of furniture available at the height of the 1920's, a pivotal period between Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and the Depression as 1932 was the very worst year in the history of the furniture industry and most of the companies that failed did so in the four years between 1928 and 1932. Therefore, this catalog remains as the single sourcebook for the products of American furniture companies of this era. Room settings of the period are shown as well as color charts of wood showing the standard finishes of the period. These will be a great help to people restoring furniture to its original color. Thousands of furniture forms are displayed with descriptive commentary facts, and a few original prices. In this edition, a price guide is included for estimating values in the current marketplace. This exciting reference book should become a useful tool for interior decorators, furniture historians, collectors, dealers and restorers working with early twentieth-century designs.

More than 125 vivid color photographs display Indian-made wrought silver, turquoise, shell and coral jewelry brought together from the American Southwest's bright deserts, red canyon and timeless pueblos. The authors explore the diversity of this hand-crafted jewelry from historic collections as well as those available today on reservations and in shops and galleries. They explain the heritage conveyed by these distinctive products of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Rio Grande Pueblo artisans.

The art of costume jewelry is explored in hundreds of color photos and personal glimpses of the elite core of artists responsible for them. The costume jewelry industry in the United States is celebrated, included the expertise in design and manufacturing of such masters as Chanel, Dior, Joseff, Haskell, Boucher, Lane, Trifari, and many more. This newly revised edition features 14 new photos and pricing information for today's market.

Sculptors, painters, and architects in 20th-century Mexico, working in silver, inspired unprecedented stylistic and technical experimentation. This dual-language English/Spanish compendium focuses primarily on threads of influence in the development of the modern Mexican silver industry. It covers the active artistic communities in Taxco and Mexico City, which had a major impact on silver designers, maestros, and silversmiths. Morrill helps us explore the materials, techniques, and design aesthetics of artists William Spratling, Hector Aguilar, Margot Van Voorhies, Anna Morelli, and Matilde Poulat, together with a group of talented contemporary Mexican artists designing in silver. The artists' works were born out of a unique perspective, the challenge provided by the aesthetics of Mexican indigenous art. Forces like cubism, surrealism, primitivism, and abstraction were incorporated into a distinctly Mexican stylistic language. Researchers, curators, collectors, and art lovers will treasure this indispensible resource, demonstrating why Mexico has been and continues to be an exciting and nurturing setting for artists in silver.

Practice til you’re perfect with expert drills, tips, and exercises!

There's only one way to take your hand lettering to the next level...practice, practice, practice. Now this handy workbook provides the smart coaching and blank workspace to make your daily practice easier, more efficient, and fun. It's the ideal way to speed you on your way to creating gorgeous and unique lettering styles.

The companion to Brush Pen Lettering, this book features helpful practice pages with guided lines, hints and tips, and drills of specific letterform combinations that will help you hone your brush pen skills.

There's one resource we just can't get enough of: Time. In this issue of Make: , we celebrate that most fascinating and finite resource. First, build a miniature neomatrix word clock that colorfully spells out the time. Next, waste less time in the shop with a healthy helping of time-saving shop tips. Then, take a metaphorical trip to the past and dive into the history and theory behind modern mechanical clocks. Plus, 19 projects to make, including: 8 more crazy clocks to build 3D print an old-school bellows-style camera Program a wall-mounted display to track your social media stats Craft a 2-in-1 leather carrier for beer and wine for your next picnic Build a stylish motion-reactive LED table-top display and more!

Four hundred stunning color pictures of world-class carvings accompany an authoritative series of interviews with the world's finest wood sculptors. An indispensable addition to the libraries of novice and expert carvers; certain to become a collector's item.

The primary emphasis of this book is on the application of various types of finishes to wood furniture. It also contains chapters on furniture repair and the preparation of wood surfaces. New to this edition are a glossary of terms; rewritten and updated information on antiquing, stencilling, and other craft-type finishes; references to specific brand names and products and the companies that produce them; emphasis on safety precautions when using finishes; and extensive rewritten and updated information on all types of stains.

The first comprehensive study of William Ince and John Mayhew's famous eighteenth-century cabinetmaking partnership, complemented by high-quality photographs of their work. The partnership of William Ince (1737-1804) and John Mayhew (1736-1811) ran from 1758 to 1804, and was one of the most enduring and well-connected collaborations in Georgian London's tight-knit cabinetmaking community. The partners' clientele was probably larger, and their work was arguably more influential over a longer period, than most other leading metropolitan makers - perhaps even than that of their older contemporary, the celebrated Thomas Chippendale. Despite their considerable output and an impressive tally of clients and commissions, much of Ince and Mayhew's work has remained unidentified until recent times. The authors' substantial research in private family archives, county record offices and bank archives has allowed them to uncover much new evidence about the business and its influence within cabinetmaking circles. In Industry and Ingenuity, the results of these new investigations are presented alongside an impressive selection of more than 500 colourful, vibrant photographs of Ince and Mayhew's works, many previously unpublished, which together emphasise the partnership's proper position in the pantheon of great eighteenth-century cabinetmakers.

This important book forms part of the Handmade in Britain partnership between the V&A and the BBC. Published as the culmination of a year-long season of programming over three series, it explores the history of making in Britain, looking across all media within the decorative arts. Handmade in Britain expands on the programmes, featuring key objects and makers in the V&A's collection as well as contributions from contemporary practitioners. It traces Britain's status as an unsophisticated importer of luxury Renaissance goods, to becoming one of the leading worldwide exporters of decorative arts by the end of the nineteenth century, and discusses present-day making - particularly the relationship between industrialized and craft-based processes and practice. It also shows how the history of making in Britain is not a London-centric story, but one of regional centres across the country often suited to different manufacturers for specific reasons. Like the programmes, the book takes each tradition in turn, looking at ceramics, metalwork, wood, textiles and stained glass.

The scrollsaw is a versatile machine, which lends itself to a host of practical and decorative projects. It is not difficult to use, and good results can be obtained in a short time, even if you have little or no prior experience of woodworking. In Scrollsaws: A Woodworker's Guide, scrollsaw experts Julie and Fred Byrne tell you all you need to know to get started on this absorbing hobby, from choosing the right equipment and materials to coloring and finishing your completed work. You will learn how to set up your scrollsaw to get the best possible results from it, and how to work safely and efficiently. Plans and instructions are included for a series of attractive projects, themed to suit different rooms--including the garden. Once you have seen for yourself what the scrollsaw is capable of, you may well be hooked! Projects include: Kitchen: key holder, trivets, letter rack, doorstop, blackboard Bathroom: fish mobile, peg rail, towel rail, door plate Child's room: bookends, coat hooks, name plate, wall hanging Garden: birdhouse, boot rack, house name, seed organizer

This exhibition catalogue for a show at the Neue Sammlung (Design Museum) in Munich documents the first solo show by Swiss jewellery artist Therese Hilbert, former student of Max Froehlich in Zurich and Hermann Ju nger in Munich. It features 250 works, going back 50 years and beginning with her earliest, unknown pieces through to her newest work created in 2020. One of her life-long passions is volcanoes: she has climbed many of them and has used them as a theme in her jewellery design for many years. The sense of heat below the surface of her minimalist designs underlines her passion for the subject. Her work is in the collections of the Design Museum (Munich), the National Gallery of Victoria, the Dallas Museum of Art, and Museum of Arts and Design (New York). Features texts by Heike Endter, Otto Kunzli, Ellen Maurer-Zilioli, Pravu Mazumdar, Angelika Nollert, Warwick Freeman and Petra Hoelscher. Text in English and German.

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.