Nancy N. Schiffer

Today's American, hand-crafted furniture is bristling with originality. Blending art and functionality, David Ebner creates unique benches, tables, and chairs. This designer-craftsman's work subtly surpasses the limits of the furniture world and often crosses over into the realm of sculpture. Fine woods with interesting patterns are featured in his practical designs, which reflect natural elements of the places where he has worked in New York state. He fuses traditional and modern techniques and is well known for his scallion coat rack, Renwick benches, and Bellport chairs. See more than 340 color photos and sketches of Ebner's designs for diverse forms created with "twisted sticks," tubular metal, iron sections, and bamboo laminates. In his lifetime, he's made more than 1,400 pieces. Especially interesting are projects he continues to design today in his ever-evolving style.

American sculptor, designer, print artist Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) made thousands of monoprints on rice paper to record his shape ideas. Many ultimately became the basis of sculptures during his forty-year career. Here over 1500 of his fascinating monoprints are presented with their identifying numbers and dimensions. The importance of these artworks to Bertoia's career is acknowledged. Contributions to the text from Bertoia's children present their feelings when they see these astounding images and recall the years of enthusiastic discussions with their father. The book adds an important volume to references about Harry Bertoia's work, which includes sculpture as commissions for institutions throughout America.

Immerse yourself in the flamboyant world of designer Kenneth Jay Lane, whose gorgeous costume jewelry has ornamented the world's most famous and powerful women for more than forty years. Over 670 sparkling color images present Lane's wide-ranging and innovative jewelry, featuring designs inspired by the fabled, exotic, and romantic cultures of the world, including Ancient Egypt, China, India, Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium, Arabia, Pre-Columbian and Native Southwest America, Tribal Africa, and Europe. Explore the varied motifs this master jeweler used, taken from every aspect of the natural world, and the many materials employed, including metals and plastics and dazzling costume gemstones. The accompanying text provides much useful information, including marks employed by Lane, and wonderful, whimsical quips by K. J. Lane himself. Anyone passionate for jewelry and the jeweler's art will treasure this book.

The name Knoll is synonymous worldwide with the best in modern furniture design. Visually exciting, comprehensive in content, this new book documents the modern furniture sold and produced by Knoll from 1938 to 2005. A detailed timeline organizes the history of Knoll furniture with illustrations, from its roots at the Bauhaus, to New York City, through Knoll International. This book showcases over 560 beautiful color and black and white photographs of dynamic and practical seating, tables, beds, desks, cabinets, and accessories by many leading architects and furniture designers. Knoll furniture includes trend-setting designs by Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe, Jens Risom, Florence Knoll, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Richard Schultz, Charles Pollock, Warren Platner, Fritz Hansen, William Stephens, Gae Aulenti, Charles Pfister, Otto Zapf, Niels Diffrient, Ettore Sottsass, Andrew Morrison, Frank Ghery, and many more. Historians, curators, dealers, and collectors will enjoy complete documentation of the furniture, including designer, years of design and/or manufacture, materials, and dimensions. Architects and designers will delight in the classic modern forms and innovative concept ideas that evolved as new materials came into use.

If you plan to enter paradise, you'll want to dress for it. Here are over 1000 glorious color photgraphs of Hawaiian-inspired textile designs on shirts that will thrust wide the pearly gates. Fantastic florals, heavenly Hawaiian designs, gorgeous geometrics, beautiful birds, special surfing scenes, jumping Japanese prints, fabulous fish, luscious landscapes, favorite foods, compulsory cocktails, and plenty of styling details will motivate your journey. When you get there, just remeber one thing: Button up. Aloha!

Rhinestones (colored glass imitation gemstones) comprise the most popular form of jewelry. High-fashion as well as costume designers produce rhinestone jewelry, which has been an important fashion accessory in the West since the late 19th century. Today, great designs are avidly collected, boldly worn, and thoroughly enjoyed by people around the world. Nearly 300 color photographs display jewelry with rhinestones of many colors, shapes, and optical styles in a variety of visual effects. Updated values in the captions reflect the current market.

“He was a charming character who saw the beauty of the world through his wonderful clear blue eyes. His ability to create was endless.” —Florence Knoll Bassett Here is the fascinating story of Bertoia Studio, where Sound Sculpture was invented and new ideas of what art is were developed. Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was the brilliant artist and Metal Craftsman at Cranbrook Academy of Art who made Ray and Charles Eames’ wedding rings before he joined them in Califiornia to help design a chair Charles was working on. He then went to Knoll Associates and made his famous Bertoia chairs. Like Alexander Calder and George Rickey, Harry Bertoia used natural movement to inspire his sculptures, and he added sound. For 35 years he produced a tremendous volume of work, including fascinating graphics, domestic-size metal sculptures, and large major commissions in cities throughtout the world that people love today. Harry Bertoia was joined in the 1970s by his son, Val Bertoia, who continues to invent and create new kinds of sculpture. This book documents all the types of original work made at Bertoia Studio from the 1950s to the present. Over 500 photographs show the Bertoias’ evolution of ideas that explore the relationships of space, color, and sound. Art collectors have been passionate in their praise and enjoyment of Bertoia’s work for over fifty years.

This is a treasury of silver jewelry from 20th century European, American Indian, Mexican, and modern designers. Hand-wrought, filigree, openwork, repousse and inaly designs are carefully described. The many styles of jewelry are chronologically arranged. More than 250 dynamic color photographs, text, and updated values in the captions make this a handy and vital reference.

This new book is a classic study of Southwest Native American jewelry that documents the fascinating story of evolving designs and techniques from early traders and artists up to the present. The concise yet highly informative text accompanies over 500 color photographs of silver, turquoise, shell, and gold jewelry. Here is a chronological progression of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Pueblo belts, buckles, bracelets, necklaces, men’s jewelry, earrings, and pins from the late 19th century to the present. Classic styles are shown to have evolved as new materials, techniques, and uses developed. Many contemporary artists are showcased, bringing this important study right up to date.

Ceramics, made in Japan for export in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are fascinating collectibles, possessing an almost endless variety of shape and diversity of decoration. In fact, it is rare to fine two pieces matching. Famous Satsuma, Imari, Hirado, Kutani, and other ceramic styles are explored in this new study. Important decorators are identified and their unusually fine craftsmanship is displayed in detail in over 400 color photographs. Their work may be among the finest quality ornamentation on ceramics anywhere in the world, and they are surprisingly affordable. From tea vessels to flower vases and table ornaments, these ceramic masterpieces provide beautiful interior design accents and historical connections between Asian and Western cultures.

Figures of courtesans, gods, demons, special characters, and animals in Japanese export ceramics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries are highly decorative and appealing to many collectors today. This study presents an engaging text and over 300 beautiful color photographs of exquisite and amusing three-dimensional figures in Hirado, Imari, Kutani, Satsuma, Studio works, and Sumida wares. When they came to the popular attention of the Western world at the 1862 International Exposition in London and the 1876 Centennial Fair in Philadelphia, they created a sensation and have held a prominent place in Oriental arts ever since. Marks of the artists appear with their works. This reference will be cherished in every collector's and Asian arts library.

Whimsical jewelry that incorporates images of people, animals, flowers, birds, fish, insects, ingenious tremblers and duets, and totally imaginary beasts are featured here, comprising a delightful cross-section of styles that all can be described as "fun." These are the mechanical and light-hearted designs that tickle one's humor and provoke a smile. They may contain important gems and expensive metals, or they may not, for in this jewelry it is the design that wins the nod. Antique as well as modern jewelry, and fine as well as costume designs appear together here to create this appealing collection from European and American sources. Fun Jewelry contains over 400 beautiful color photographs showing over 1,000 pieces and an explanatory text which identifies all marked pieces. Drawn from many styles and times, this fun jewelry is sure to become a favorite of all who enjoy decorative ornamentation.

Fine details of carving and construction are highlighted to demonstrate the best golden oak furniture from American makers at the end of the nineteenth century. China cabinets, bookcases, chairs, tables, and accent forms are shown in various styles with detailed descriptions and price ranges to reflect their values in the furniture market today. This book will become the standard reference by which dealers, collectors, decorators, curators, and historians can judge the field.

Japanese export ceramics, including Imari, Satsuma, Fukagawa, Sumida, and Banko wares, are showcased in hundreds of variations created by skilled decorators. Imari, Satsuma and Other Japanese Export Ceramics highlights the fascinating history of Japan’s ceramics in the West, from the late 19th century to today. Featuring colorful Imari porcelain, Fukagawa porcelain, and delicately hued Satsuma earthenware, this updated edition offers a comprehensive look at the many unique variations produced for export. Detailed in 600 full-color photographs, this guide explores the best-known Japanese exports, with added references to early Imari wares from around 1700, and newer wares such as Sumida and Banko. The book provides a clear look at makers' and decorators' marks, design variations, and hard-to-find pieces, making it an invaluable reference for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts of Japanese ceramics. Key Features: • 600 color photographs showcasing the best of Japanese export ceramics • Updated values reference and expanded coverage of early Imari wares • Includes Imari, Satsuma, Fukagawa, Sumida, and Banko wares • Highlights makers' and decorators' marks and design variations • Ideal for collectors, curators, and ceramic enthusiasts For collectors and fans of Japanese ceramics, Imari, Satsuma and Other Japanese Export Ceramics offers in-depth insights into the rich world of 19th and 20th-century Japanese porcelain and pottery.

The world now applauds the exquisite ornamental ceramics made in Japan in the late 19th century for export to Europe and America. They dazzle the public today as they originally did when introduced at the International Fairs in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Chicago, and St. Louis over a hundred years ago. Here the breathtaking beauty of intricate decoration on Satsuma, Imari, Kutani, Hirado and other ceramics is displayed in over 500 color photographs with a carefully researched text, descriptive captions, and information about the current world market for these pieces. Discoveries in new places have brought forth fresh examples for this book. Ceramics collectors worldwide will be able to compare the craftsmanship of these imaginative designs and learn how the international market both demanded and supported trade in their ornate decorations.

Examples of eyewear from the seventeenth century to the present are shown in over 600 color photos and explained in an engaging text. This book provides an overview for identifying and dating vintage eyewear for the growing numbers of collectors. Explore ways in which eyeglass design has developed to reflect both popular fashion and scientific investigation. The designs of frames and lenses were changed as more comfortable and practical styles were invented. In the mid-twentieth century, eyeglass makers carefully sought high profile entertainers to wear their designs in order to promote their companies. Advertising worked its magic and the general public came to prefer the advertised designs. Examples of eyewear from the seventeenth century to the present are shown in over 600 color photos and explained in an engaging text. Bifocals, monocles, pince-nez, fanciful and safety styles of eyeglasses and sunglasses are shown along with some price estimates.

Provides advice on choosing an engagement ring with information on how to judge a diamond's cut, color, clarity, and weight

The pine furniture and tools gathered in this book have come from distant places in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. Painted with cheerful colors, they served every practical function in a home. Over 280 beautiful color photographs in this book show construction details and furniture design of great variety. Today, the warm tones of old paint on soft pine wood in antique furniture convey sability to a home and security among its inhabitants. They help to create a welcoming place to live.

Over 400 dynamic color photos and a concise text rich in facts show important developments in surfing over the last century. The ancient Polynesian heritage of surfing is presented here through its introduction to the modern world by Hawaiians such as Duke Kahanamoku in the early 1900s. Emphasis is given to a later period when surfing's popularity grew steadily in southern California during the 1950s and 1960s and surf culture was assimilated into a west-coast lifestyle. The music, filmmaking, photography, design, and literature of surfing all have influenced popular culture internationally. Surfboards are shown here to have evolved from 150-pound solid redwood boards to "hollow" boards of the 1930s and lightweight foam and fiberglass boards of the 1970s. Northern Californians contributed the development of the wetsuit as an adaptation to cold water conditions. As a result, the endless summer now can be found on any beach in the world. This book is based on the exhibition "He'e Nalu: Wave Riding" presented at he San Francisco Airport Museums from October, 1997 to February, 1998.

Over 300 beautiful print shirts, dresses, and bathing suits-acquired on vacation in the tropics-brought home to preserve the memory, cherished, and shown here to recall and enjoy. Lovely florals, maps, famous scenes, something of the lush vacation lifestyle. The book is organized by tropical locations: the South Pacific, Hawaii, California, Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies...and the designs are inspired by the heat, light, and relaxation of these popular destinations. Today's graphic designers will find this a source of great ideas; collectors will want them all. Shown also are 163 different clothing labels to help identify the retail and design origins.