Arts and Culture

A comprehensive and abundantly illustrated collection of the most outstanding modern furniture around the world. Now with a guide to current values, this is an indispensible book for collectors, architects, designers, and furniture historians. Over 1000 of the most innovative designs are shown, many of which have become classics of the late-twentieth century. Pieces range from simple modern chair

The most ingenious and ephemeral of textiles, lace ispresented as the poetry of fashion. Here is a fascinating glimpse into this extraordinary art form and its role in our culture presented with over 225 pictures, including dramatic original photographs as well as historical illustrations, to portray various types of lace and lace garments from different periods. This is a delightful journey throu

During the middle of the 20th century, neon signs turned North America's roadside into a luminous wonderland. The most compelling signs were figural: imaginative, cartoon drawings in light. These unforgettable depictions of exploding bowling pins, crashing cars, baton twirling majorettes, and lassoing cowboys were the fodder for legend and lore. Neon designer Len Davidson has captured the magic wi

Hundreds of beautiful color pictures and recently-discovered, important information give this new study of 19th and 20th century Japanese porcelain a most refreshing approach. Visual comparisons of the major styles can be made even by the beginning student because there are so many fine color pictures of the examples. Kakiemon, Nabeshima, Arita, Hirado and Fukagawa styles of Imari; Kutani; Satsuma

This is a book that explores into two worlds, the appreciation of wood as medium for sculpture and a practical look of technique. The history of sculpting directly into wood is explored, illustrated with many classic examples of the art, from ancient Egypt to the twentieth century. But this book is also a vital resource for those seeking to create sculpture in wood. A complete description of the q

In the world of costume jewelry, the name Lea Stein Paris® is recognized as the most notable and innovative designer of plastic jewelry of the 20th century. Her use of sculptured laminated celluloid in many novel combinations of textures, colors, and designs resulted in her whimsical and colorful world of original animals, people, and geometric delights. Here you will find bracelets, pins, necklac

Chinese pottery and porcelain has been admired, sought after, fought over, and emulated throughout the history of the civilized world. In form, color, and technique, China led the world in the ceramic arts. Its perfection of hard paste porcelain in the Ming Dynasty followed a fascinating record of ceramic production that is traceable back to 5,000 B.C. The Ceramics of China provides text and pictu

This long-awaited book will be a valuable tool for collectors, dealers, and researchers of modern Italian glass. Most comprehensive volumes are written in Italian, and none includes a value guide. This one, in English, includes information and photographs that will make this book a standard reference on the subject.With approximately 700 full color photos of almost 1000 examples of glass from 1900

The islands of Murano, in the lagoon of Venice, have been a sheltered community of glass artists for at least 700 years, leading the world in blown techniques and design of beautiful and functional objects. This new study captures the artistry of Murano glass as well as the multi-generational world of discovery, innovation, alliances, and realliances that have fostered that artistry. With 250 stun

This book beautifully illustrates the wide range of artistic innovation and techniques expressed in vitreous, or “hard,” enamels on metal. More than 30 experienced enamelists share their specialized knowledge for using cloisonné, plique-à-jour, champlevé, and basse-taille techniques on silver, gold, foils, and metal clay to make jewelry, vessels, portraits, and more. Works from an additional 55 ar

Over 200 stunning color photos provide a unique perspective on life in and around Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The author/photographer presents vistas and places beyond well-known tourist attractions, boats, and lobster buoys to provide a more expansive look of Cape Cod. Enjoy colorful tours of Provincetown, Wellfleet, Provincelands, Nantucket, Orleans, Martha's Vineyard, Brewster, Eastham, Chatham, H

Follow the saga of this remarkable fiber from seed to woven fabric. Learn about flax cultivation, processing and spinning, natural and synthetic dyeing, and weaving and finishing linen cloth. 233 color photos and 156 black and white photos and drawings reveal the characteristics of linen and emphasize its practical use. An inspirational chapter includes 15 articles by Canadian and American weavers

Instructive text and 275 color photos guide readers through all the necessary steps to create natural looking garden pools and swimming ponds. Imagine paradise in your own garden–a combination of bathing pleasure with the possibility of observing nature and recreation. A comprehensive guide to get to what you have dreamed about and how you can contribute directly to the project. For garden ponds,

A rare opportunity to appreciate the incomparable beauty of Brazil’s women in the equally striking environs of this tropical paradise. Photographer Joaquim Nabuco’s collection of nude art photos creates a lush, whimsical, and sensual landscape that revolves around the feminine, exotic, and vibrant character of these women. From beaches, forests, mountains, and rivers to Brazil’s big cities and his

Tour sixteen beautifully restored homes built and decorated in the Arts and Crafts style, an early twentieth century movement to counter the increasing urbanization and mechanization of human life. Nearly 300 color photos detail links between nature and human skill, and capture architectural elements of the Arts and Crafts bungalow. This book is a must have for Arts and Crafts followers and ideal

The most comprehensive review of the Provincetown Artist Colony to date, this two-volume set is complete with conversations with many artists, including Robert Motherwell, Jack Tworkov, Red Grooms, Raphael Soyer, and Chaim Gross, and nearly 300 images of works by those artists, as well as Childe Hassam, Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Adolph Gottlieb, Edward Hopper, and numerous others. Attracted by it

Images of the classical female figure are more prevalent in the contemporary figurative art world, as the nude male has been shunned as too potent or treated as a sex symbol. This book bravely showcases works by male and female artists from around the world that focus on this classic subject. Painting, drawings, and sculptures display broad and varied styles, including portraiture, studies, Pop Ar

A thoughtful survey of fiber sculpture and wall art portrayed in 335 vibrant images and insightful text. Explore the work of three generations of fine artists who have opened their minds and spirits to the boundless range of expressive possibilities in textile methods or materials. Even as the art on these pages references weaving, crochet or quilting, traditional textile notions disappear in the

An exploration of Wharton Esherick's artistic evolution during the early decades of the twentieth century. Based on the exhibition in the Kamin and Kroiz Galleries of the University of Pennsylvania, this work expands upon the exhibition's themes with well over 300 vibrant images and current research, including an essay by Paul Eisenhauer, Curator of the Wharton Esherick Museum. Esherick experiment

Since 1970, when world-renowned photographer Harvey Stein first turned his discerning eye toward Coney Island, his love affair with this New York beachfront amusement park began to grow. Over 200 compelling black and white photos tell the tale of his 40-year romance with this iconic locale. Entering Coney Island through his lens is like stepping into another culture, capturing the lives and times