Discover the World of Decorative and Applied Arts

Are you a general reader, collector, curator, or scholar with a passion for the rich history and intricate details of decorative and applied arts? Explore our extensive archive with over 1,700 meticulously researched entries covering the past 300 years. From furniture and textiles to ceramics and industrial design, find accurate and detailed information on individuals, businesses, and materials that have shaped this vibrant field.

Engage with the past, enrich your knowledge, and immerse yourself in the artistry of design.

Decorative & Applied Arts

Josep Lluís Sert speaking at a conference, wearing a bow tie and glasses, with other officials seated at a table.

Josep Lluís Sert: A Visionary of Modernist Architecture

Sterling silver and enamel jewelry set by Margot de Taxco, featuring a trapezoidal motif with intricate dot detailing, displayed on a black background.

Margot Van Voorhies: Mid-Century Enamel Jewelry Innovator

Mid-century modern curtain fabric by Marion Mahler featuring abstract geometric forms in black, white, and yellow on a vibrant red background.

Marion Mahler: Pioneer of Mid-Century British Textile Design

A stylish 1960s outdoor patio set by ILSE Möbel, featuring colorful woven chairs, a white metal table, and a woman lounging on a recliner in a lush garden.

Elegant Living with ILSE Furniture – The Essence of 1960s Modernism

Hand-drawn sketch of the Pye Model CS17 television designed by Robin Day, depicted as a friendly, walking retro TV with a speech bubble saying 'Where do you want me?'. The vintage-style illustration is signed by Simon Judge.

Pye Model CS17: A Mid-Century Masterpiece by Robin Day

Modern glass architecture of the Chicago Athenaeum, reflecting contemporary urban design and sustainability in an urban setting

Top Exhibitions at Chicago Athenaeum Revealed

Alvar Aalto's 100/900 Tea Trolley (1937), a modernist serving cart with a bentwood frame, large disc wheels, and a dual-level design, originally designed for the 1937 Paris World’s Fair.

Alvar Aalto’s 100/900 Tea Trolley (1937): A Masterpiece of Functional Elegance

Set of four smoked acrylic Champagne Chairs by Erwine and Estelle Laverne, with black leather cushions and aluminum pedestal bases.

The Champagne Chair: A Toast to Timeless Modernism

Vibrant peacock displaying its iridescent feathers in full spread, showcasing intricate eye patterns and rich blue plumage.

The Peacock in Applied and Decorative Arts: Symbolism and Design Inspirations

Discover the Wonders of Architectural Design

Architecture

Josep Lluís Sert speaking at a conference, wearing a bow tie and glasses, with other officials seated at a table.

Josep Lluís Sert: A Visionary of Modernist Architecture

A stunning example of West Coast Modernism, featuring a glass-walled house with a flat roof, overhanging eaves, and a lush green garden.

Exploring West Coast Modernism: Key Features and Influences

Design Disciplines

Discover the marriage of form and function in industrial design.

Industrial Design

Hand-drawn sketch of the Pye Model CS17 television designed by Robin Day, depicted as a friendly, walking retro TV with a speech bubble saying 'Where do you want me?'. The vintage-style illustration is signed by Simon Judge.

Pye Model CS17: A Mid-Century Masterpiece by Robin Day

A laptop displaying a CAD design next to a 3D printer creating a prototype in a well-equipped industrial design workshop.

Occupational Outlook for Industrial Designers: Career Prospects and Growth Trends

Dive into the world of furniture design with insights into chairs, lamps, sofas, stools, and tables.

Furniture Design

A stylish 1960s outdoor patio set by ILSE Möbel, featuring colorful woven chairs, a white metal table, and a woman lounging on a recliner in a lush garden.

Elegant Living with ILSE Furniture – The Essence of 1960s Modernism

Alvar Aalto's 100/900 Tea Trolley (1937), a modernist serving cart with a bentwood frame, large disc wheels, and a dual-level design, originally designed for the 1937 Paris World’s Fair.

Alvar Aalto’s 100/900 Tea Trolley (1937): A Masterpiece of Functional Elegance

Graphic Design

A vibrant, abstract magazine cover for Men’s Reporter, designed by Alvin Lustig, featuring playful, surrealistic cartoon-like faces with a mix of primary colors—red, yellow, blue, and black.

Alvin Lustig: The Multifaceted Designer of Modernism

Swiss Graphic Design and its Impact on Decorative and Applied Arts

Pierre Gauchat Bally 1935 MoMA

Pierre Gauchat: Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design

Explore the versatility and beauty of ceramic artistry.

Ceramic Art and Design

Set of shallow ceramic bowls with grass pattern, Momoyama period, 17th century, Japan.

Karatsu in Japanese Ceramics: A Legacy of Korean Influence and Tea Culture

Glass Design

Peacock Vase by Louis Comfort Tiffany, ca. 1901 – an iridescent blue and green blown glass vase with a fan-shaped top and bulbous base.

The Peacock Vase by Louis Comfort Tiffany: A Masterpiece of Blown Glass

Interior Design

Interior Design created by AI

Desire to Inspire: A Global Passion for Interior Design

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