World Furniture

Fülszöveg

This is the first book to provide a fully-illustrated history of furniture throughout the world. In this fascinating survey we can see how, in the progress of civilisation from Ancient Egypt to our own times, individuals and societies have created for themselves interiors of austere solemnity, extreme luxury or exquisite delicacy.
IN THE TOMBS
OF THE PHARAOHS chairs, beds and
fine caskets have been found showing a high degree of craftsmanship. In Greece and Rome we recognise the elegant forms which were to delight the patrons and designers of late 18th-century Europe. In the Dark Ages a precarious society produced interiors largely bare of furniture—the strongly-built chest transported people's belongings from castle to castle. In the Gothic period, architectural ornament reflected a religious conception of life.
WITH THE RENAISSANCE ^ni the
prosperity on which it throve came the palatial furniture of the Tuscan merchants—rich velvet hangings, gilding, inlay, elaborate... Tovább

Fülszöveg

This is the first book to provide a fully-illustrated history of furniture throughout the world. In this fascinating survey we can see how, in the progress of civilisation from Ancient Egypt to our own times, individuals and societies have created for themselves interiors of austere solemnity, extreme luxury or exquisite delicacy.
IN THE TOMBS
OF THE PHARAOHS chairs, beds and
fine caskets have been found showing a high degree of craftsmanship. In Greece and Rome we recognise the elegant forms which were to delight the patrons and designers of late 18th-century Europe. In the Dark Ages a precarious society produced interiors largely bare of furniture—the strongly-built chest transported people's belongings from castle to castle. In the Gothic period, architectural ornament reflected a religious conception of life.
WITH THE RENAISSANCE ^ni the
prosperity on which it throve came the palatial furniture of the Tuscan merchants—rich velvet hangings, gilding, inlay, elaborate carving and painting.
m THE BAROQUE PERIOD social
life expanded in range and many new types of furniture were produced—console tables, resplendent mirrors. Lacquer was imported from the East in ever-increasing quantities. Particular attention is given to the grand style imposed on furniture at the Court of Louis XIV.
INTHE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY we can
compare the restrained designs of the Georgian cabinetmakers in England vvdth the demand on the Continent for ormolu mounts, for marquetry and for inlaid marble. We can see how American craftsmen, while inheriting Dutch and English forms, achieved a style which was entirely their own.
THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY witnes-
sed the beginning of mass-production. This was the age of revivals—the Neo-Classical, the Gothic, and the Tudor. Finally in England came the Arts and Crafts movement, to be followed by the international style of Art Nouveau.
THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY
travel and rapid means of communication, has favoured a world-wide cross-fertilization of styles. Particular attention is given to the contribution of Danish and American designers. Modern synthetic materials open up new structural possibilities, modern central heating allows for the open-planned interior and a revolutionary treatment of space.
Twenty-five distinguished authors have combined to enable the reader to study, compare and admire furniture of every period throughout the worid.
130,000 words of text
Over 1,000 black and white illustrations
and 52 colour plates Vissza