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

Beaux Arts Gallery: A Crucible of British Modernism

Hand-drawn mockup illustration of a Rick GATH surf helmet in profile view, showcasing its distinctive curved shell, minimal padding, and iconic 1980s GATH branding.

Ric Gath: The Reluctant Revolutionary of Surf Safety

Red leather Robert Heritage QE2 chair with cantilevered chrome legs and mid-century modern silhouette, designed for the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 liner.

Robert Heritage: Pioneer of Mid-Century British Design

The Allure of Agate: History and Modern Uses

A generic image drawn in the 19th century style of a representative exhibition.

International Exhibitions of the Victorian Period: Tastemakers of the 19th Century

Portrait of Ross Littell, a celebrated mid-century modern designer known for his contributions to textile and furniture design.

Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) American Textile and Furniture Designer

Italian Gothic cathedral facade featuring pointed arches, detailed sculptures, ornate mosaics, and an elaborate rose window illuminated by sunlight.

Exploring Italian Gothic Design: Art and Architecture

Interior view of the Institute for Lightweight Structures, designed by Frei Otto, showcasing a timber-clad, tensile-roof structure with a skylight and organic workspace.

Exploring Sustainable Design at the Institute for Lightweight Structures

A representation of Dutch Interior Architecture

Influential Dutch Interior Architects Transforming Design

Discover the Wonders of Architectural Design

Architecture

Interior view of the Institute for Lightweight Structures, designed by Frei Otto, showcasing a timber-clad, tensile-roof structure with a skylight and organic workspace.

Exploring Sustainable Design at the Institute for Lightweight Structures

Sever Hall at Harvard University, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, showcasing Richardsonian Romanesque architecture with red brickwork, arched windows, and rounded turrets.

Henry Hobson Richardson: Architect of the American Romanesque Revival

Design Disciplines

Discover the marriage of form and function in industrial design.

Industrial Design

Hand-drawn mockup illustration of a Rick GATH surf helmet in profile view, showcasing its distinctive curved shell, minimal padding, and iconic 1980s GATH branding.

Ric Gath: The Reluctant Revolutionary of Surf Safety

Portrait of Ross Littell, a celebrated mid-century modern designer known for his contributions to textile and furniture design.

Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) American Textile and Furniture Designer

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

Furniture Design

Red leather Robert Heritage QE2 chair with cantilevered chrome legs and mid-century modern silhouette, designed for the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 liner.

Robert Heritage: Pioneer of Mid-Century British Design

Portrait of Ross Littell, a celebrated mid-century modern designer known for his contributions to textile and furniture design.

Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) American Textile and Furniture Designer

Graphic Design

Illustration by Luba Lukova depicting hands warming over a pencil-turned-flame, symbolizing the power of art and expression.

Luba Lukova: The Power of Visual Metaphor in 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

Explore the versatility and beauty of ceramic artistry.

Ceramic Art and Design

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan) in Tokyo, a traditional-style building dedicated to preserving and showcasing Japanese folk art and craftsmanship.

Soetsu Yanagi and the Revival of Japanese Folk Art

Glass Design

Elegant Luigi Bormioli Sublime Carafe with a cork stopper, accompanied by minimalist glassware, filled with water and fresh lime slices on a modern kitchen countertop.

Bormioli Luigi: The Evolution of Italian Glassware Excellence

Interior Design

A representation of Dutch Interior Architecture

Influential Dutch Interior Architects Transforming Design

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