The History of Furniture: Twenty-Five Centuries of Style and Design in the Western Tradition

Published by Little Brown & Company, 1999, hardcover, illustrated, index, 25.8 cms x 31.5 cms x 3.2 cms, condition: new.

Written with great verve and in a highly accessible style, The History of Furniture conveys a vast knowledge of history, style, and design with great intellectual clarity. Surveying the development of furniture from antiquity to the present day, John Morley discusses the Western tradition and includes the outside influences of China, Japan, India, Egypt, and Africa. The more than 600 illustrations not only include photographs and drawings of the furniture itself but also highlight the furniture's links to architecture and the fine arts. The History of Furniture is a complete examination of the 2,000-year tradition of furniture and a captivating tour de force of scholarship.

What a great compilation this is! If you think that we invented some of our modern styles, think again. This book tracks the design of furniture throughout history, from the simple, elegant pieces to the gilded masterpieces almost too pretty to use. There are stunning rooms from German castles, elaborate desks held up by golden statues, delicate curls of wood on towering Etruscan pieces, and Baroque cabinets studded with jasper, agate and gilt bronze. Great for coffee table or as a gift, this book will simply take your breath away.

                                                                               A LOVELY LARGE COFFEE TABLE BOOK.