The Decorative Arts Dictionary is a comprehensive guide that covers 150 years of the decorative and applied arts. These articles provide an in-depth exploration of the evolution of decorative arts from the mid-19th century to the present day. It covers various topics, including furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles, metalwork, and jewellery.
It offers a fascinating insight into how art movements have influenced decorative arts over time and how they continue to shape contemporary design today. Whether you are a collector, designer, or art enthusiast, these articles will surely provide you with a wealth of knowledge on this fascinating subject.
Anchor Blocks, a German building system, influenced Frank Lloyd Wright‘s design philosophy. Precisely engineered with durable materials, they were popular toys and collector’s items.Read More →
Achievement is a symbol that only belongs to one family, and can be engraved or enamelled to establish provenance and date.Read More →
A low seat with a cushion that became popular in the late 1700s. They simplified sitting. READ MORERead More →
Brazilian partridge wood is said to have dark streaks that resemble partridge plumage. This timber has a distinctive figure, occasionally with lighter stripes that resemble the markings on a partridge’s wing. It has a trunk diameter of at least 30 inches and grows to a height of 90 to 100 feet.Read More →
Regarding silverware, the design can be found on several hollow pieces that are repeatedly employed to create a band around the calyx of the piece. It was a well-known aspect of the RENAISSANCE STYLE, and later of the neo-classical style, the Adam style, and once more the regency style. The leaf, whose form changes over time, can be found as either applied or embossed decoration.Read More →
The Old Masters silverware service by Gorham features an Academic Style that emerged in the U.S. during the 1880s, reflecting earlier English and French influences.Read More →
Dichroic glass, created using thin film physics, exhibits color-shifting properties. It finds applications in jewelry, architecture, fine art, and optical devices, combining art and technology.Read More →
Rattan, native to southern Asia, Malaysia, and China, is used for caning and weaving wicker furniture. Its strength and versatility make it popular worldwide.Read More →
Bracket feet in furniture feature a curved right-angled design, available in straight, ogee, or French styles, notably seen in Chippendale and Hepplewhite pieces.Read More →
Sgraffito is a scratched pottery decoration, first used in China, which spread across Europe via Persia. The vessel is immersed in slip, and then the decoration is scratched on the surface to reveal the darker body below. It was often used with maiolica from Italy.Read More →