Many basic questions confronting antique lamp buyers, from "Where do I look for a manufacturer's signature?" to "How do I distinguish reproductions from originals?" are answered here. Using color photographs and catalogue illustrations, a wealth of information is presented including buying or selling old lighting, restoration issues like rewiring, practical uses for fixtures originally made for gas or oil, and restoring and protecting metal finishes.

A visual analysis of the colours used in furnishing fabrics and wallpapers from the 15th century to now, providing inspiration for designers. This simply structured and highly original book analyses the palettes that have been used by designers in the creation of furnishing fabrics and wallpapers from the 15th century to the present. The colours used in each pattern are presented in a simple proportional grid, giving a clear understanding of hues that have been expertly combined at different periods to create the designs we continue to admire and emulate. Spectrum opens with a brief introduction by interior design expert Ros Byam Shaw, exploring the history of colour as used in interiors. The fabrics and wallpapers that follow are arranged chronologically. Each is reproduced on its own double-page spread, and is accompanied by a brief narrative-style caption that provides information about each fabric or wallpaper and its significance in the context of interior design. Unique in such a book are the colour grids shown beside each pattern, in which the colours in the original piece are shown in proportion to their use, and with their CMYK references to enable designers to replicate these colours in their own work.

The artist-makers represented here come from every region of the United States, making this book a compilation of many native traditions as well as modern styles. Exciting background ideas are expressed in the details of these works, so their study and appreciation is quite fascinating. Over 50 living jewelry masters of Native American heritage are featured in this lavish new book. Their dynamic work includes many pieces that were awarded at recent juried shows. Tufa casting, stone cutting, engraving, metalsmithing, and other technical skills that are highly refined and personalized are evident, demonstrating the work of true Masters in this evolving field. See and be inspired by new designs in bead necklaces, silver bracelets, pendants, pins, earrings, belts, and rings, as well as sculpture that ranks as wearable art. Marvel at the new pieces by top masters living today.

The definitive guide to stonesetting by renowned designer and teacher, Melissa Hunt. From ready-made snap settings to handmade mounts for unique pieces, Stonesetting for Jewellery Makers is an all-encompassing examination of the many and varied techniques, treatments and innovations used in jewellery design. Whether learning how to make settings from scratch or choosing and working with ready-made mountings, this book arms the reader with techniques that can be applied to a range of pieces. Throughout the book, beautifully illustrated step-by-step tutorials are accompanied by practical tips and advice, while inspirational galleries present stunning examples of the ways in which contemporary jewellers experiment with settings, materials and stones.

Jewellers and crafters can create unique and beautiful jewellery that can be worn with pride with this stunning new book. It features 20 projects split into four main sections: knitting, French knitting, crochet and twisting. This UK author has created projects that have easy-to-follow instructions and require only basic skills - many can be completed in an evening. "Wired Jewelry" is the perfect introduction for anyone keen on creating their own jewellery using wire, beads and basic knitting, crochet and twisting techniques. Using these simple skills, readers can quickly learn to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Each project is illustrated with clear step-by-step pictures to guide readers through the process. All basic knitting, crochet and jewellery techniques needed are clearly explained in an approachable way meaning readers can get started straight away. Novice knitters need not worry as only the very easiest of techniques are used - with stunning results.

You've got to crack some eggs to make an omelet, and that's just what author Tom Wolfe has done. Tom finds out what is inside those wooden eggs found at craft stores and woodworking suppliers. This an interesting and informative book goes from the blank egg, through drawing, and finishing. Step-by-step the reader is taken through two projects, a caricature head and a bird, learning the techniques of good caricature carving from one of the best. Each step is photographed in a clear, color image, with concise, easy-to-understand explanations of what is happening and how to do it. This is the perfect book for beginning carvers and old dogs looking to learn new tricks!

The Art of Letter Carving in Wood is a thorough guide to this beautiful craft. Based on the v-cut method, it explains how to carve letters in a range of sizes, styles and different kinds of wood. The book progresses from the basic to the difficult, and from simply designing and carving letters to using them in a wide range of situations, from the purely practical and informative to the expressive and interpretative. Written by one of the UK's leading and most respected lettering artists, this book not only covers the process of letter carving in wood but also does much more by explaining how to convey a message effectively. It looks at every aspect of designing the piece - be that using italics, spacing the letters, using letters, using the grain or adding colour. With over 500 illustrations, it is the definitive text for all letter carvers in wood.

Now available in paperback, Performing Englishness examines the growth in popularity and profile of the English folk arts in the first decade of the twenty-first century. In the only study of its kind, the authors explore how the folk resurgence speaks to a broader explosion of interest in the subject of English national and cultural identity. Combining approaches from British cultural studies and ethnomusicology, the book draws on ethnographic fieldwork, interviews with central figures of the resurgence and close analysis of music and dance as well as visual and discursive sources. Its presentation of the English case study calls for a rethinking of concepts such as revival and indigeneity. It will be of interest to students and scholars in cultural studies, ethnomusicology and related disciplines. -- .

Accompanying an exhibition at the Wallace Collection, Inspiring Walt Disney explores the influences of the art and architecture of France on Walt Disney and his studio artists, highlighting in particular the Disney classics of hand-drawn animation, Cinderella (1950) and Beauty and the Beast (1991). Pairing preparatory material from these films - including concept art for talking furniture and fairy-tale castles - with masterpieces from the eighteenth century reveals hidden sources of inspiration and allows us to appreciate the extraordinary talents behind Disney animated films and French decorative arts. Just as the dynamic, twisting movements of the Rococo sought to breathe life into what was essentially inanimate - silver, porcelain, furniture - so too did Disney animators seek to create the illusion of movement, action and emotion. Illustrated with innovative works by artists such as Mary Blair, Hans Bacher and Peter J. Hall, and the animated and anthropomorphic furniture, Sevres porcelain and gilt bronze of rococo designers, the catalogue explores the shared creative roots of these two seemingly disparate artistic realms and looks to revitalise the feelings of excitement, awe and marvel, which both eighteenth-century craftsmen and Disney animators sought to spark in their audiences.

Over 450 vivid color photos provide a sweeping overview of the amazing range of iron artwork being created by 82 of today's artist-blacksmiths. These works in metal are found in public spaces, offices, and homes. They vary in size from small, everyday objects to staggering public monuments. The pieces, discussed by the artists who made them, include sculpture, gates, railings, furniture, lighting fixtures, doors, locks, and much more. This book, the third in an ongoing series, has artwork arranged by the artist alphabetically, rather than in categories. This allows readers to see the full scope of each artist's work together on adjoining pages. Here readers will find some artists whose work they have seen in other books in this series; others they are meeting for the first time. This book will be a prized reference guide and source of inspiration for homeowners, designers, artists, and blacksmiths as a fascinating snapshot of current trends in this dynamic, growing field of artistic endeavor.

The goldsmith and mineralogist Johann Christian Neuber (1736-1808) was one of the greatest masters of the gold objet - gold boxes, watch cases, chatelaines, etc. - which he in particular decorated to splendid effect with semiprecious stones - agate, jasper, carnelian and a host of others. In 1769 he became director of the Grunes Gewoelbe, the magnificent State Treasury in Dresden, and in 1775 court jeweler to the court of Saxony. Neuber's work features enchanting landscapes, intricate floral designs and complex geometric patterns made out of tiny cut stones, incorporating also Meissen porcelain plaques, cameos and miniatures. These one-of-a-kind objects are treasured in public and private collections all over the world today, but have never been brought together. This book is the first comprehensive introduction to this master craftsman's oeuvre, presenting boxes and other decorative objects from the Grunes Gewoelbe, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and public and private collections in Germany, France and New York. One of its highlights is the'Breteuil Table', still owned by the family for which is was made as a diplomatic gift nearly 250 years ago. It accompanies a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, at the Grunes Gewoelbe, Dresden, March-May 2012; at the Frick Collection, New York, May-August; at the Galerie J. Kugel, Paris, Autumn 2012. Beautiful photographs of all Neuber's creations adorn this extraordinary book- well over 500 in number. The context and history of the growing interest in mineralogy and its celebration in these works of art are fully investigated. Its distinguished authors include Dr Jutta Kappel, of the Grunes Gewoelbe; the specialists Sophie Mouquin and Philippe Poindront; the Marquis de Breteuil, Henri-Francois Le Tonnelier; and the editor of the volume, Alexis Kugel, of the famous Parisian gallery.

Put your wood carving skills to practical use! This must-have book features 13 projects with step-by-step instructions and photography for creative and elegant walking sticks. Including projects for both intermediate and advanced wood carvers, painting and finishing instructions are provided, as well as helpful information on types of wood used for walking stick shanks, methods for joining a head to a shank, and more. From a simple lyre-shaped thumb stick and a gent's walking stick to derby sticks with the head of a fox, eagle, Labrador retriever, black swan, and other animals, you'll enjoy putting your carving skills to the test by creating these beautifully useful walking sticks and canes. Author Paul Purnell is a self-taught wood carver for 15 years who specializes in birds, animals, and other wildlife. His carving style includes a mixture of tools, and he has carved projects for The Guild of Master Craftsman's Wood Carving and Woodworking Crafts magazines.

A new type of craft, braided wire jewelry does not require expensive equipment and can be made by almost anyone with easily found materials. Come and give it a try! Pretty, delicate-looking (but actually quite strong) jewelry, including pendants, pins, watchbands, and earrings, can be made from wires, beads and stones. Cute monkey, butterfly, and cross shapes are shown, and you are encouraged to design your own styles once you learn her techniques. Let your imagination go! Have fun being creative! Step-by-step instructions with color photographs and detail drawings guide you through the basic techniques and seven projects with various levels of difficulty.

Take a trip through the ages and the world to uncover a unique stone with amazing properties. In this well-researched book, readers discover amber and the products made from it, especially jewelry. The easy-to-read format and over 320 color photographs and drawings make it both informative and appealing. The fascinating history of this ancient and unusual stone is explained, and identification methods, origins, amber products, carving techniques, and care tips are among the invaluable information included. Interesting mysteries, concerns, and triumphs about amber and a discussion of its cost are presented. Mineral and rock collectors, history buffs, and jewelry lovers all will enjoy this freshly compiled and up-to-date reference.

Sculpture was no occupation for a lady in Victorian Britain. Yet between 1837 and 1901 the number of professional female sculptors increased sixteen-fold. The four principal women sculptors of that era are the focus of this book. Once known for successful careers marked by commissions from the royal family, public bodies and private individuals, they are forgotten now. This book brings them back to light, addressing who they were, how they negotiated middle-class expectations and what kind of impact they had on changing gender roles. Based on their unpublished letters, papers and diaries coupled with contemporary portrayals of female sculptors by novelists, critics, essayists and colleagues, this is an unprecedented picture of the women sculptors' personal experience of preparing for and conducting careers as well as the public's perception of them. The author examines each woman's ability to use her position within the historical and cultural context as a platform from which to instigate change. The analytical emphasis throughout is on the art of negotiation and the result is an interdisciplinary work that delves deeply into the experience of an undervalued cohort of artists who had a disproportionate influence on Victorian social norms.

Herman Miller has led in the modernization of the American home and workplace since Gilbert Rohde revolutionized the company with his Art Deco furniture in the 1930s. Interior installations (from the early days through the famous mid-century designs of George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames and the textile designs of Alexander Girard, and up to the later accomplishments of a new generation of designers) are shown in more than 200 color and black and white vintage photos entirely from the Herman Miller Archives. With an extensive timeline of events and furniture design introductions, this visual record captures a fascinating portion of the evolution of modern interior design. Appendices of complete product catalog reprints of the Herman Miller Collections of 1950 and 1952 plus a value guide make this volume a must for researchers, preservationists, designers, and collectors of modern interior furnishings.

Here is a magnificent presentation of the Mexican artisans and their creations displayed in 484 beautiful color photographs. The chapters present the master designers and silversmiths whose reputations have grown to international fame with an intimate look at one of the principal designers, H-ctor Aguilar, and the personnel at this workshop. Valentin Vidaurreta, Los Castillo, William Spratling, Antonio Pineda, Hubert Harmon, Enrique Ledesma, and many more craftsmen are represented by their exquisite designs.

The rise and fall of American Art Deco coincide neatly with the brief, but glorious, heyday of the Chase Brass & Copper Co.'s Specialty division. Gleaming Chase housewares of chrome, brass, and copper brightened many homes during the Depression years of the 1930s, thanks to the talents of such leading industrial designers as Lurelle Guild, Walter Von Nessen, Russel Wright, and Harry Laylon. The Chase Era presents in full the company's first (1933) and final (1942) Specialties catalogs, illustrating the development of Deco design as represented by the Chase inventory. Also included are newly discovered pre-1933 Chase flyers, showing previously unseen Chase Specialties! Introductory comments focus on the whys and wherefores of Art Deco's short reign, and the place of Chase in the Deco continuum. With a current price guide and full inventory information, The Chase Era truly provides the first and last words on Chase Specialties.

The first edition of this title by Judy Gale Roberts popularized the art of Intarsia making picture mosaics in wood using different types of wood and wood grains. This book will teach you the secrets of making exciting wooden inlay projects. Using popular woodworking equipment and different varieties of common woods, you can create these beautiful projects on your own in your home workshop. Learn how fun, easy and creative making wooden inlays can be. Use this book to start creating timeless heirlooms your family will treasure for years to come

Join designer Ani Afshar for a jewelry-making workshop to create a bead necklace with long ribbon streamers, another bead necklace with cropped ribbons, and a pair of beaded drop earrings. Then introduce your own variations as you build skills with Ani's guidance and over 100 color photographs that detail each step. A gallery of similar styles Ani has made with different beads and colors will inspire you to keep creating. If you need supplies, kits are available for jewelry in this book.

Nearly 200 photographs chronicle the evolution of Hopi jewelry over the last four decades and illustrate, through the Kopavi collection, the innovative and often stunning creations of twelve well-known Hopi artists. Included are Victor Coochwytewa, Phillip Honanie, and Michael Kabotie, as well as Ricky Coochwytewa, Sidney Sekakuku, Sharold Nutumya, Watson Honanie, Bradley Gashwazra, Norman Honie Sr., John Coochyumptewa, Beauford Dawahoya, and Jason Takala Sr. The artists incorporate gold, platinum, diamonds, and rare turquoise into a tradition previously identified predominantly with silver, while expanding the range of designs to include narrative and ceremonial representations. Some of the iconography speaks to the merging of two cultures: ancient Hopi and contemporary commodity. These objects have a historical voice and represent a major change not only in jewelry styles, but in Hopi culture."

Speaking with Pictures offers a path-breaking exploration of visual narratives in folk art. It foregrounds folk art's engagement with modernity by re-looking at its figurative modes and the ways in which they are embedded in mythic thought. The book discusses folk art as a contemporary phenomenon which is a part of a complex visual culture where the 'essence' of tradition is best captured in a 'new' form or medium. Each chapter picks up a theme that moves between the local and the global, thereby attempting to problematise the stereotypical view of folk artists as carriers of 'timeless tradition'. The volume provides an ethnographic account of innovations through a detailed analysis of the scroll painting tradition of the patuas of West Bengal and the Pardhan-Gond style of Madhya Pradesh, highlighting some recent attempts at inter-medium exchange in storytelling. The book will interest those in visual and popular culture in anthropology, sociology, literary criticism and folklore. It will also be of immense value to art historians, museologists, curators and NGOs working in media and communication, apart from those with a general interest in folk art.