Decorative Arts

When this book came out I could not wait until I could get a copy. Books costing $100-300 cannot compete unless they specialize on only a limited segment. The publisher claims that there are 3000 (and only a few are small) photos in this book and I believe it. Grouped by time periods and then divided into categories of ceramics, glass, clocks, textiles, furniture, and metalware- it covers primarily 1680 to today. This is a coffee table book weighing almost 6 pounds. In the area not taken up by photos, there are moderately detailed historical descriptions of the items. This is an encyclopedia of 440 oversized pages. The book is a good place to start your research of specific periods or items of decorative arts. I have since purchased more of Judith Miller's books to have even more examples of European furniture, glass, and porcelain from 1700-1900. There are only a few museums which trump this masterpiece. Besides the index in the back, she has listed international museums, antique dealers, and a glossary of terms. I can only add that she should have included the Minneapolis Institute of Art because it displays much of what this book contains plus paintings and sculptures.