"A Cultural History of Furniture presents an authoritative survey from ancient times to the present. The set of six volumes spans 4,500 years of furniture in its physical, social and cultural context. Each volume discusses the same themes in its nine chapters: Designs and Motifs; Makers, Making and Materials; Types and Uses; the Domestic Setting; the Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations"--

The 18th century saw the height of court culture in Europe as well as the beginnings of its demise with conflicts such as the American and French Revolutions. The Scientific Revolution, which had begun in the preceding centuries, also ushered in a new intellectual era which advocated the use of reason to effect change in government and to advance progress in society. For furniture, this meant ever-higher standards of luxury in the designs, techniques and materials utilized for the best pieces, and more structure and specialization in the furniture-making process itself. Furniture also came into its own during this period as a collectable work of art on its own merits. Drawing upon a wealth of visual and textual sources, this volume presents essays that examine key characteristics of the furniture of the period on the themes of Design and Motifs; Makers, Making, and Materials; Types and Uses; The Domestic Setting; The Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations.

"A Cultural History of Furniture presents an authoritative survey from ancient times to the present. The set of six volumes spans 4,500 years of furniture in its physical, social and cultural context. Each volume discusses the same themes in its nine chapters: Designs and Motifs; Makers, Making and Materials; Types and Uses; the Domestic Setting; the Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations"--

"A Cultural History of Furniture presents an authoritative survey from ancient times to the present. The set of six volumes spans 4,500 years of furniture in its physical, social and cultural context. Each volume discusses the same themes in its nine chapters: Designs and Motifs; Makers, Making and Materials; Types and Uses; the Domestic Setting; the Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations"--

The 19th century in Western culture was a time of both confidence and turbulence. Industrial developments resulted in a number of benefits from a growing middle class to efficiency, convenience and innovation across a range of fields from engineering to architecture. Alongside these improvements, the century began with the extended period of the Napoleonic Wars and was further disrupted by rebellions and revolutions both within Europe and in India, South America and other parts of the world. Slavery was abolished and urbanization increased dramatically. These myriad developments were reflected throughout the period in the proliferation of types of furniture, along with their categorization as 'industrial art' at the international exhibitions and world fairs and the increasingly adventurous range of materials that were sometimes used in their construction. Nonetheless, a strong antiquarian/historicist strand also prompted interest in the revival of past styles in areas of art and design, including furniture. Drawing upon a wealth of visual and textual sources, this volume presents essays that examine key characteristics of the furniture of the period on the themes of Design and Motifs; Makers, Making, and Materials; Types and Uses; The Domestic Setting; The Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations.

The 16th and 17th centuries in Europe witnessed a significant paradigm shift. Rooted in medieval beliefs and preoccupations, the exploration so characteristic of the period stemmed from religious motives but came to be propelled by commerce and curiosity as Europeans increasingly engaged with the rest of the world. Interiors in both public and private spaces changed to reflect these cultural encounters and, with them, the furniture with which they were populated. Visually, furniture of this period displayed new designs, forms and materials. In its uses, it also mirrored developments in science, technology, government and social relationships as prints became more widely distributed, the Wunderkammer developed and there was religious strife and resistance to absolute monarchical rule. Drawing upon a wealth of visual and textual sources, this volume presents essays that examine key characteristics of the furniture of the period on the themes of Design and Motifs; Makers, Making, and Materials; Types and Uses; The Domestic Setting; The Public Setting; Exhibition and Display; Furniture and Architecture; Visual Representations; and Verbal Representations.