Judith Miller: A Closer Look at Antiques

As I am studying Decorative Arts and how to appraise items I found this book very helpful. Judith takes through the steps of five categories of Decorative Arts and explains how to authenticate an item. Excellent photos, written sort of in an instructors voice...a friendly and informative instructor. I will keep this book on hand for years to come and will purchase Judith Millers other books.

For a quick and beautiful study session on antiques, this is the book. Gorgeous photos, clear and concise explanations! There is a 4-page easy chart showing the pertinent features of famous furniture styles that's excellent. She tackles every category such as ceramics, glass and silver with skill. I don't see how this book can be improved upon other than by really going into detail which would take extra books. I did see one error but I am not docking the Englishwoman for it. On page 30, there is a photo of a Pennsylvania Dutch chest which she lists as, "...often made in pine and poplar by German and Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania." I think she may be confused about the Pennsylvania Dutch people who definitely made the chest. Since I am of Pa. Dutch descent born and raised with grandparents who spoke the old, local Germanic dialect, I would like to clarify that the Pa. Dutch people are Germanic and the word Dutch is a bastardization of the Germanic work for German which is Deutsch. We are not at all Dutch, have no relation to Dutch and all the Pennsylvania Dutch groups such as the Amish, Mennonites, Dunkards and Lutherans plus Reformed have no Dutch connections. You only have to visit Switzerland and Germany to see the direct influence of those cultures on the furniture styles, art designs and foods of the Pennsylvania Dutch people. I did not perceive any direct similarity when I went to the Netherlands except for a general Northern European feel. Neither are there any large historical settlements of Dutch people in Pennsylvania, at least not anywhere near the Pa. Dutch region in Southeastern Pa.

This book won't sit unused on the shelf of my bookcase as all the other antique books I have purchased in the past. This one will definitely be used - in the field and at my desk. Very informative, great illustrations and a lot of valuable information I will be able to use during my antique hunting travels. I would highly recommend this book to all antique collectors.