Decorative arts Books

Book SynopsisA practical guide to drawing and painting beautiful Islamic botanical patterns. The ancient art of Islamic pattern is steeped in tradition, with dazzling motifs inspired by geometry and nature. Islamic biomorphic patterns are the floral, organic and flowing designs that usually sit within a geometric frame and are sometimes referred to as Arabesque, Islimi or Rumi. These patterns can be found on anything from grand architectural monuments to illuminated manuscripts. In this practical guide, learn how to analyse 12 patterns from the Islamic world, such as Iznik pottery from Turkey and mosaics from Uzbekistan, and draw them with a combination of geometry and freehand technique. Then, discover how to paint these patterns in contemporary and traditional ways, and explore colour harmony with watercolour or gouache. Experienced artist Esra Alhamal also teaches you how to produce your own shell gold, prepare your paper, and outline with ink and a brush to create stunning Islamic art compositions. Following the historic way of learning from the masters, Esra starts each project by introducing and analysing a pattern sourced from historic ceramic tiles and illuminated manuscripts before showing you how to reproduce it with colourful step-by-step instructions. Soon you will have the knowledge to understand how these biomorphic patterns came to be and gain the skills to recreate designs and paint them beautifully.

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Book SynopsisV&A Pattern: William Morris highlights both popular and lesser-known patterns designs by the most famous designer of the Arts and Crafts Movement. A source of inspiration for designers from William Morris to Alexander McQueen, the V&A holds over three million designs for textiles, decorations, wallpapers and prints. Now beautifully re-presented, the bestselling V&A Pattern series invites you to appreciate the work of some of the greatest names and styles in design history, highlighting interesting and imaginative works that are all too rarely seen. Each pocket-sized book features 66 carefully selected patterns, and has a concise expert introduction, making these an invaluable source of inspiration for creatives - and the perfect gift for pattern-lovers.

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Book SynopsisDiscover a world of decorative ideas with this compendium of history’s most elegant patterns and ornamental designs.The World of Ornament brings together the two greatest encyclopedic collections of ornament of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet’s L’Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875–1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville’s L’Ornement des tissus (1877) to provide one lavish source book spanning jewelry, tile, stained glass, illuminated manuscript, textile, and ceramic ornament. Encompassing classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, this compilation of cultures and aesthetics offers a primary reference for artists, historians, designers, and patternmakers, and anyone engaged in decorative design and impact.Trade Review“…a magnificent encyclopedia of adornment.” * The Wall Street Journal *“…an invaluable source book that presents beautiful patterns dating from antiquity to the 19th century.” * Elle Decoration *

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Book SynopsisBehind the Blue Door presents the decor of pioneering beauty-industry entrepreneur John Demsey’s six-story townhouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, an explosion of color, pattern, and art.“A riot of color, pattern, and art, beauty exec John Demsey’s six-story townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side bursts with exuberant life.”—Architectural Digest The muted, understated exterior of the townhouse on a tree-lined New York City street belies the sumptuous feast for the eyes that hits you upon opening its blue front door. Every room of its five main floors has its own saturated color scheme, filled with a David Hicks-inspired geometrically patterned rug, vibrant fabrics, new and vintage furniture, art and photographs covering walls, and sculptures and knickknacks topping tables and filling shelves. For the owner, John Demsey, the starting point was a pair of multicolored Louboutin boots, which inspired the palette of the living room rug. Working with interior decorator and friend Bibi Monnahan, he carefully chose and positioned each piece of furniture, work of art, and decorative object, and mounted his enormous photography collection. The result is a tour de force of maximalist design, now captured for all to see in Douglas Friedman’s luminous photographs and with Emmy Award-winning journalist Alina Cho as our eyewitness guide in a slipcased gift book featuring three gatefolds.

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Book SynopsisBrimming with over 300 botanical motifs, this wonderful resource will provide inspiration and instructions for embroidery artists and flower ladies everywhere. This collection features designs including flowers, ferns, succulents, leaves, bees and garden scenes. The books includes basic embroidery instruction for stitches and transferring designs onto fabric. Original designs and clear instructions make this book a must have for any embroidery enthusiast's library. Trade Review"Little touches, not major statements, are the essence of this book. And what a beauty it is. Tiny projects you can finish in moments, which will leave you feeling like you've been sitting in the parlour with the Bronte sisters for an afternoon!" * Thrive Magazine *Table of ContentsRoses Orchids & Chrysanthemums Spring Flowers Summer Flowers Autumn & Winter Flowers Flower Branches Fruit Trees Herbs Wild Flowers & Mushrooms Cacti & Succulents Tropical Plants Foliage Plants Aquatic Plants English Garden Project Inspiration Gallery Tools & Materials Getting Started Embroidery Stitch Guide How to Use This Book Thread Conversion Chart Motifs & Templates

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Book SynopsisTechniques, advice and inspiration for would-be and experienced basket makers. Basketry is experiencing a resurgence of popularity, and enjoying an exciting comeback at the hands of a new and dynamic generation of makers who are not afraid to experiment with mixing materials and techniques. While based on traditional techniques, this book gives you all the information you need to learn basic methods as well as discover exciting hybrid approaches, mixing both materials and methods to achieve fabulous pieces. Through illustrated step-by-step examples, get the confidence and inspiration to expand your making as far as your imagination can take you. The projects are suitable for beginners and provide a handy reference and inspiration guide for more experienced basket makers.Trade ReviewThere are some quite intricate pieces in the piece, but there's also lots of information and instruction for the would-be basket maker. * Craftsman Craft & Design *Amazing ... Practical Basketry Techniques is not just another basketry book. The writers managed to make an innovative, inspiring document, which includes clear instructions for using general techniques. This book is not only useful for beginning basket makers, but also of great use and inspiration for the more experienced basket weavers. It gets your creative juices flowing and makes you want to get started straightaway. A great asset to the library for everyone who loves to make baskets. * Lucienne Kramer, boardmember of the Netherlands National Basketry Organisation and Founder of Wonderful Willow *Good-looking, good-natured ... I feel and hope this book goes some way to introduce new makers to the basic techniques and, once they are understood and mastered they, and experienced makers, might be encouraged to think about the more contemporary idea of using basketry for artist expression ... This book wants us to learn, try this at home and most of all, go and play. * Basketmakers' Association Newsletter *Table of ContentsIntroduction Sourcing materials Coiling and cobbling Twining Frame Basketry Stake and Strand Plaiting Assemblage Interlacing Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Suppliers Index

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Book SynopsisAmong the many treasures of The al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, are hundreds of games pieces dating from the seventh to the nineteenth century CE. Intricately crafted in a rich variety of materials, including ivory, wood, ceramic, glass, jade, and agate, these tiny objects not only mark the evolution of familiar games into their modern forms, but also evoke the imperial palaces, military camps, and herders? tents in which they were played over many centuries.Some of the most beautiful are a famous group of rock-crystal chess pieces that were kept in a monastery church in northern Spain for more than 800 years. They are presented here alongside other spectacular examples, some of which have never before appeared in a publication, including both early figural chess pieces that originated in India and the Sasanian empire and the more abstract forms that later became popular throughout the Islamic world. Other games pieces, such as dice and pachisi sets and an important medieval Arabic treatise on chess, complete the collection.This volume provides the definitive catalogue of this outstanding group of games pieces, some of which scientific testing has dated with precision for the first time, and includes more than 300 striking images.Trade Review'Stunning' - Arab WeeklyTable of ContentsForeword by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Part One: Early Development of Chess and Backgammon Pieces • Essay: Chess and Backgammon in the Iranian World; Catalogue Section A: Figural Chessmen • Part Two: Abstract Chessmen, Backgammon and Other Games Pieces • Essay: Nishapur and Early Islamic Games Pieces; Catalogue Sections: B) Ivory and Bone; C) Wood and Jet; D) Ceramic; E) Stone; F) Rock Crystal and Other Hardstones; G) Glass; H) Other Games and Related Items • Part Three: Chessmen and Other Games Pieces in Museum and Private Collections

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Book SynopsisWhat delights you? A vibrant red? A mysterious blue? From John Derian, the artist and designer whose work with printed images from the past transports the viewer to another world, Painter''s Palette features an art student's color study from the twentieth century, capturing that magical place where ground mineral meets water and light, imagination meets science, and the artistand puzzle doerexperiences an aha! moment.Featuring: 1,000 interlocking pieces Mini-poster (6 3/4 x 9 3/8) for reference or framing Completed puzzle size: 18 7/8 x 26 3/8

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Book SynopsisIn the light of continuing debates on Indian women’s mobility and choices, young Mithila painter from Bihar, India, Amrita Das offers a disarmingly fresh perspective on being female and an artist in the making.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Morris (1834–1896) was one of the greatest creative figures of the 19th century. As a visionary designer, as well as a manufacturer, writer, artist, and socialist activist, he pioneered the Arts and Crafts movement of the Victorian era, and left an extraordinary influence on architecture, textile, and interior design. This richly illustrated book offers a suitably beautiful introduction to Morris’s colorful life and all aspects of his design work, including interiors, tiles, embroidery, tapestries, carpets, and calligraphy. Though best known in his lifetime as a poet and author, it is these exquisite designs that secured Morris’s posthumous reputation. As page after page dazzles with their beautiful patterns and forms, we explore the pioneering craftsmanship and natural motifs that inspired them, as well as Morris’s remarkable cultural legacy, through British textiles, Bauhaus, and even modern environmentalism.

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Book SynopsisLearn how to craft breathtaking fairy homes exclusively from elements found in nature, step by step, from master fairy house architect Sally J. Smith—photos of her creations provide abundant inspiration.Imagine a fairy home that has dragonfly wings as stained-glass windows, twigs for window frames, birch bark for walls, and dried mushrooms for shingles—with Fairy Houses, you can create one in your own garden. Browse gorgeous photographs of fairy houses in nature, then: Design your home following the outlined steps Gather tools and materials Create magical fairy house components, including intricately detailed doors and windows Put it all together to create your own unique fairy house Add lighting and interiors Add finishing touches, like a bark roof covering or a stone pathway The final chapter gives step-by-step photo instructions on how to construct two different fairy homes.Both an inspiring gallery of art and a practical how-to guide, Fairy Houses will open new doors of creativity for you as you are transported to the magical realm where fairies live.Trade Review"...this recommended title is fun and unique." * Library Journal *"this adorable book will leave even the most sceptical of readers chanting: ‘I do believe in fairies, I do!' " -- Katya Edwards * Daily Mail *Gather your imagination and some bits and pieces from the forest or garden around you. These will be needed as you fall head over heels into the pages of Fairy Houses * Country Gardens *

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Book SynopsisThe Artist Blacksmith is the essential handbook for anyone interested in bringing a creative, contemporary approach to this ancient craft, and for those already hooked who want to improve and expand their skills. Topics covered include: the range and use of tools and materials; fundamental blacksmithing processes; working at the anvil, drawing down, bending, upsetting and spreading, hot cutting, punching, and finally, twisting and joining. Illustrated with over 200 diagrams and photographs, The Artist Blacksmith will provide an introduction to the beginner and valuable information for the more experienced smith looking to expand their workshop.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times Bestseller Named one of the Best Gift Books of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, House Beautiful, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Luxe Interiors + Design, People, Style Watch, Garden & Gun, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, New York Magazine, and more John Derian's home goods empire reaches far and wide-in addition to the four John Derian stores he owns in New York and Massachussetts, his products are sold by more than 600 retailers worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, ABC, and Gump's in the United States; Conran and Liberty in the UK; and Astier de Villatte in Paris. It all started with his now-iconic collectible plates decoupaged with 19th-century artwork sourced from old and rare books, a process that credited him with elevating the decoupage technique into fine art. Over the past 25 years, the brand has expanded greatly to include home and general design gifts and products. Now, for the first time ever, comes the book John Derian fans have been waiting for. Culled from the thousands of images that have appeared in his biannual collections, here is an astoundingly beautiful assortment of nearly 300 full-bleed images in their original form. From intensely coloured flowers and birds to curious portraits, hand-drawn letters, and breathtaking landscapes, the best of John Derian is here. The result is an oversized object of desire, a work of art in and of itself, that brilliantly walks the line between commerce and art, and that is destined to become the gift book of the season.Trade Review“Thick, satisfying . . . gloriously oversize. . . . A treasure trove of inspiration, the artist’s first book is an object to covet.”—The Wall Street Journal “Big lush pages.”—The New York Times “A feast for the eyes. . . . The book brims with untold stories.”—Wallpaper “Joyfully nostalgic. . . . An eye-popping tour of [Derian’s] archives.”—Elle Decor “Destined to become a collector’s item.”—Better Homes Gardens “The quality of paper and ink used in making the book makes you feel like you’re flipping through a collection of prints.”—The Houston Chronicle “This simple, beautiful book filled with nearly 300 images from the 18th and 19th centuries, defies categorization. . . . All of the oversize pages are frame-worthy.”—The Los Angeles Times “If you could bring yourself to rip out the pages and frame them, you would be able to decorate an entire apartment with this book. But having all the exotic and vintage illustrations in one place—fantastic creatures (mostly dogs), seafaring vessels (and men), far-flung gardens (and the things that grow in them)—is a warm comfort on a cold winter day.”—T: The New York Times Style Magazine “John Derian’s ultimate paperweight.”—Vanity Fair “A picture book for adults: John Derian’s dreamlike world fascinates. . . . We bet we’ll see framed pages from this book on many walls.”—PaperCity “Gorgeously wordless.”—The Boston Globe “No words. Doesn’t need ’em.”—New York Magazine “An enchanting miscellany of marvels.”—Harper’s Bazaar (U.K.) “Set to triumph in this season’s top coffee table book competition. . . . John Derian Picture Book contains beguiling images drawn from old prints and lithographs. . . . We suspect that some people may buy two copies, one to display and another to cut up for pictures and to decorate the walls.”—The Times (London) “Truly a must-read.”—Vogue.com “If there’s one coffee-table book that’s the must-have gift book of the season, this one is it. . . . Arresting, odd, and lovely images.”—Kirkus Reviews “Thick, satisfying . . . gloriously oversize. . . . A treasure trove of inspiration, the artist’s first book is an object to covet.”—The Wall Street Journal “Big lush pages.”—The New York Times “A feast for the eyes. . . . The book brims with untold stories.”—Wallpaper “Joyfully nostalgic. . . . An eye-popping tour of [Derian’s] archives.”—Elle Decor “Destined to become a collector’s item.”—Better Homes Gardens “The quality of paper and ink used in making the book makes you feel like you’re flipping through a collection of prints.”—The Houston Chronicle “This simple, beautiful book filled with nearly 300 images from the 18th and 19th centuries, defies categorization. . . . All of the oversize pages are frame-worthy.”—The Los Angeles Times “If you could bring yourself to rip out the pages and frame them, you would be able to decorate an entire apartment with this book. But having all the exotic and vintage illustrations in one place—fantastic creatures (mostly dogs), seafaring vessels (and men), far-flung gardens (and the things that grow in them)—is a warm comfort on a cold winter day.”—T: The New York Times Style Magazine “John Derian’s ultimate paperweight.”—Vanity Fair “A picture book for adults: John Derian’s dreamlike world fascinates. . . . We bet we’ll see framed pages from this book on many walls.”—PaperCity “Gorgeously wordless.”—The Boston Globe “No words. Doesn’t need ’em.”—New York Magazine “An enchanting miscellany of marvels.”—Harper’s Bazaar (U.K.) “Set to triumph in this season’s top coffee table book competition. . . . John Derian Picture Book contains beguiling images drawn from old prints and lithographs. . . . We suspect that some people may buy two copies, one to display and another to cut up for pictures and to decorate the walls.”—The Times (London) “Truly a must-read.”—Vogue.com “If there’s one coffee-table book that’s the must-have gift book of the season, this one is it. . . . Arresting, odd, and lovely images.”—Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisWith 12 pieces from the William Morris Gallery collection, this calendar celebrates the enduring appeal of Morris & Co. Featured on its cover is designer John Henry Dearle's Bourne printed cotton. New text accompanies each work and the datepad features previous and next month's views. Printed on FSC-certified paper, with plastic-free packaging.

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Book SynopsisCreate your own floral and plant illustrations, with no previous artistic experience necessary! Each project in this beautiful book is broken into easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, making how to draw leaves and flowers (including poppies, pansies, and cherry blossoms!) as easy as 1-2-3. You'll also learn the process of creating patterns and digitising your illustrations!Trade Review"As a fellow floral art lover, it's a pleasure to dive into Alli's instruction, as it is an art in and of itself. Her welcoming and sophisticated approach to sharing her passion is palpable and begs to be explored. Florals by Hand is a book that should be on every bookshelf, be it the hobbyist, the professional artist, or simply the art admirer." - Peggy Dean, Author of Two Best-Selling Books: Botanical Line Drawing and The Ultimate Brush Lettering Guide

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Book SynopsisHelps readers to create their own patterns, based on compositions from across the Islamic world. This book opens up the world of intricate Islamic patterns, allowing artists, designers and doodlers alike to learn about these works of art as they produce their own.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Architects, design nerds and hard-core antiquarians may be the natural audience for the reissue of this Victorian-era classic. But if you have wondered--as I have--about the subtle differences between the filigrees featured in Persian, Byzantine and Arabian tilework, The Grammar of Ornament: A Visual Reference of Form and Colour in Architecture and the Decorative Arts (Princeton University Press) is a good book to have on hand. . . . The illustrations are delightful, and perhaps surprisingly, it is easy to pick a page at random and find a bit of tasty decorative information to digest. Summer grazing at its best."---Ted Loos, Introspective Magazine

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Book SynopsisNow back in print, "the ultimate book-lover's gift book" (Los Angeles Times) In 1561-62 the master calligrapher Georg Bocskay (died 1575), imperial secretary to the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, created Mira calligraphiae monumenta (Model Book of Calligraphy) as a demonstration of his own preeminence among scribes. Some thirty years later, Ferdinand's grandson, the Emperor Rudolf II, commissioned Europe's last great manuscript illuminator, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600), to embellish the work. The resulting book is at once a treasury of extraordinary beauty and a landmark in the cultural debate between word and image. Bocskay assembled a vast selection of contemporary and historical scripts for a work that summarized all that had been learned about writing to date-a testament to the universal power of the written word. Hoefnagel, desiring to prove the superiority of his art over Bocskay's words, employed every resource of illusionism, color, and form to devise all manner of brilliant grotesques, from flowers, fruit, insects, and animals to monsters and masks.Trade Review“It’s back! Out of print for a decade, this gorgeously produced, slip-cased facsimile edition of an exquisite Renaissance manuscript unfurls a battle between brilliant advocates for the beauty of the written word (Hungarian scribe Georg Bocskay) and the painted image (Flemish illuminator Joris Hoefnagel). The small volume, with a bonus alphabet book tucked in at the end, is a sheer pleasure to hold in your hands.” ― Christopher Knight ― Los Angeles Times

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Book SynopsisAngie Boothroyd is an independent jeweller based in London. She trained at London Guildhall University and the Royal College of Art and has exhibited her award-winning work throughout the UK and internationally, including at such prestigious events as Goldsmiths' Fair, London and COLLECT at the Saatchi Gallery, London.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Getting Started 2. Pricing Your Jewellery 3. Selling Your Jewellery 4. Managing Your Stock 5. Your Website 6. Presentation is Everything 7. Essential Business Skills 8. Planning for Growth and Sustainability Resources Sample Documents Useful Companies and Websites Index

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Book SynopsisWomen Pioneers of the Arts & Crafts MovementWomen of the era took part in, and often led, the founding of exhibitions, societies, art schools, and small craft industries. Some were activists and social disruptors while using their skills and talents to make a living. This book highlights the versatility and range of these talented women, who worked across a host of disciplines, including textile design, embroidery, bookbinding, illustration, painting, enameling, stained glass, metalwork, furniture design, and architecture. It is richly illustrated with a wide array of their work, much of it previously unpublished. Featuring objects from the V&A''s renowned Arts and Crafts collection, the book also includes key pieces from other museums and private collections across the UK.

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Book SynopsisLondon Living presents a unique look into the homes of London-based interior designers, antique dealers, musicians, and influencers, revealed by leading interior design photographer Simon Upton. Following the success of his first book, New York Interiors, Simon Upton turns to London—a city in which he has been based for most of his working life. Exploring an incredible range of homes in this vibrant city, Upton looks behind the scenes into the private spaces of creatives and influencers. Presented in two parts, the book begins with “Town,” which is devoted to the homes of those who live solely in London, such as grandee of interior design John Stefanidis; House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2019, Maria Speake; industrial designer and architect Tom Bartlett; fashion designer Bella Freud; model Poppy Delevingne; and antiques dealer and interior designer Adam Bray. Then, “Country” sho

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“For more than a millennium, as this richly illustrated volume affirms, Islamic architectural styles prospered around the western and southern Mediterranean - from the Alhambra to the Cappella Palatina.”—Apollo Magazine“Offers a tantalising glimpse into the richness of the buildings of the Western Mediterranean, leaving the reader hungry for more- in short this volume serves as the perfect amuse-bouche for the non-specialist, and a welcome contribution for specialists in need of a competent, survey text to introduce Islamicate architecture of North Africa and al-Andalus to new students.”—Sarah Slingluff, Al-Masāq (Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean) “[A] thorough and well-researched book, which draws attention to the fascinating histories of a variety of different Muslim peoples, as well as to the architectural history of regions across the Islamic West…Engaging and informative...Bloom persuasively suggests that the transmission of architectural knowledge, ideas, and motifs was a great deal more complex than scholars previously thought.”—Lydia Ann Jesudason, Aspectus [Journal of Visual Culture, University of York]“A confident and accurate book that could only be accomplished by a mature scholar...Far more than this, it is a book of someone whose enthusiasm for his subject is as strong as his ability to use a broad knowledge of Islamic and European art to focus it.”—Nancy Steinhardt, Orientations“A formidable collection of architectural knowledge...It is made more accessible by being woven into a rich narrative thread that takes the reader from the medieval to the modern world...An unparalleled collection through which the Islamic architectural history of the region can be better understood and relished.”—Shahed Saleem, Transactions of the Ancient Monuments SocietyCHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles 2021Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction and acknowledgments Chapter 1: Islamic Architecture in Umayyad al-Andalus and Aghlabid IfriqiyaChapter 2: Rival Caliphates in the West during the Tenth Century Chapter 3: The Long Eleventh Century: Dissolution of Empire Chapter 4: The Almoravids and Almohads ca. 1050-ca. 1250 Chapter 5: The Nasrids in al-Andalus Chapter 6: The Heirs of the Almohads in North Africa, ca. 1250-1500 Chapter 7: Caught between the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs: Chapter 8: The Sharifan Dynasties of Morocco 1500-1800 Chapter 9: Epilogue: The Legacies of Maghribi Architecture Glossary Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisMake adorable mini plushies with Sew Your Own Ice Cream Animalsby Klutz! In this adorable kit, kids can sew four ice creamanimal treats with an extra topping of personality!

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Book SynopsisEngraving on Precious Metals is for professionals and others who wish to learn hand engraving as a hobby or trade, and reveals many previously undisclosed practices of the commercial engraver which help to make his skill quite astonishing.

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Book SynopsisPaul Jackson''s major new title Complete Pleats is the most comprehensive book about pleating on the market. It explains how pleating systems can be stretched, compressed, flared, skewed, multiplied and mirrored, showing how from simple ideas, a huge number of original pleat forms can be created. Each technique is explained with a series of step-by-step photographs and line illustrations, enabling the designer to work through the basic principles of pleating and then adapt them to their specific needs. Complete Pleats also features more than 60 examples of pleats from the worlds of architecture, fashion and product design. Paul Jackson has taught pleating techniques to students of Fashion Design for 30 years, in both paper and fabric. Complete Pleats is the definitive practical guide for anyone wishing to create and make pleats

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Book SynopsisCeltic Art is the only indigenous British art form of world significance and this book is a graphically eloquent plea for the establishment of this great national art to its rightful place in schools and colleges where the history of ornament is being taught.Until recently, the classical orientated art-world has regarded the abstract, iconographic and symbolic style of the Celtic artist as something of an enigma, a mysterious archaic survival largely ignored in histories of art. The modern trends away from realism and the interest of the younger generation in psychedelic and art nouveau styles provides favourable ground for the Celtic art revival which the widespread interest in this new edition seems to indicate is possible.When this book first appeared, it was hailed as a ''veritable grammar of ornament''. It is certainly an indispensable reference book and practical textbook for the art student and craftsman seeking simple constructional methods for laying out com

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Book SynopsisIslamic geometric designs are admired worldwide for their beauty and intricacy, yet in truth they are seldom understood. In this volume, the author analyses and explains these complex designs in their historical and physical context.Trade Review'Islamic Geometric Design' is one of the best studies on the market and represents essential reading for studying and understanding Islamic geometric design' - islamicartsmagazine.com'A great survey … beautifully illustrated, with clear explanations of the underlying principles of the art form' - Clifton Life

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Book SynopsisWunderkammern are showing up everywhere these days. Design webshops, expos, interior design stores: they all try to bring back the memory of the century-old tradition of Wunderkammer, or 'the Cabinet of Curiosities'. This book is a Wunderkammer in itself, showcasing the most beautiful exotica, which explorers and adventurous merchants brought back from all over the world for rich collectors. Be amazed by beautiful seashells, stuffed animals, sculptured ostrich eggs, botanical drawings, 'dragons' preserved in formaldehyde, and bewildering Indiana Jones-like stories. A fascinating New World presented itself to them, and in this book, you'll see it through their eyes.

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Book SynopsisStep into a world of witchcraft both good and evil, where the iconic character of myth and legend is once more brought uniquely to life. From the first alleged witch to be hanged in Salem, and Goya’s depictions of witchcraft, to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Hogwarts, and beyond, there is no shortage of inspiration, but also of recycled characterizations and central-casting stereotypes. Now, 30 of the world’s most talented fantasy and concept artists discover their own, personal manifestation of the witch. Starting with research, readers will witness the alchemy of details extracted from the seemingly mundane transformed the whole body of the witch, fantastical yet unnervingly believable at the same time. The design process goes on to cast spells not only on appearance, but also the environment, practices, and magical belongings of this one-of-a-kind witch. With the final design depicted as both a line drawing and in full color, the whole character and their world is defined. A summary of each witch details their background, behaviour, strengths, weaknesses and, of course, powers. The result is 320 pages encased in a beautifully finished hardback cover, the ultimate field guide to designing witches that transcend time, place, and even the most vivid imagination.

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Book SynopsisA fresh, unstuffy guide to the stained-glass windows of England's churches, including a list of the top 50 places to see outstanding examples. The magical qualities of stained glass have an enduring appeal, but church windows tend to be ignored as a form of creative and artistic expression. Yet churches are accessible treasure trove of history, art and craftsmanship. No other set of historic buildings with such superb and important architectural and artists assets is as easy to visit. How to Look at Stained Glass is the companion guide that's needed to make sense of and enjoy the vast array of stained-glass windows in the churches of England. This fresh, unstuffy guide: - Uses an A-Z format to reveal a multitude of fascinating details - all the way from apples to zig-zags - Explores stained glass by themes, patterns, designs and effects - Requires no previous historical, artistic or religious knowledge - Covers all the major periods and styles, from medieval to modern, Victorian to postwar, eighteenth century to Arts and Crafts, figurative to abstract - Examines the fascinating and evolving iconography of stained glass - Makes looking at gloriously colourful, artistically important windows both entertaining and rewarding - Features a list of the top 50 places to see outstanding examples - Offers a useful index of churches by countyTrade ReviewIf you venture out into the country, whether by car, bicycle, or train, it would be a good idea to tuck this book into the glove compartment, pannier, or rucksack * Church Times *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Exploring a Church How a Stained-Glass Window is Made A–Z of Stained Glass 50 Places to See Stained Glass Further Reading List of Images Index of Churches

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Book SynopsisA unique compendium of Indian crafts, this informative source-book maps the handicrafts of the subcontinent and captures the traditions that have enriched the day-to-day lives, and incomes, of Indian craftspeople.Handmade in India examines all aspects of Indian handicrafts ? historical, social, and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products, and tools ? unravelling a wealth of knowledge. Based on extensive fieldwork and research, this work maps out the regional crafts identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craftwork patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India, enabling the reader to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities. Some of these are well known, like the woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. The authors also describe lesser-known crafts like stitched boots from Ladakh, paintings from Jharkhand, and tinsel printing in Ahmedabad.With its extensive photography, this unique volume will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals, and connoisseurs alike.

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Book SynopsisThe first publication to examine the pioneering designer and prolific collector who led Tiffany & Co. to creative and commercial success A silversmith, designer, and prodigious collector, Edward C. Moore (1827–1891) was the creative leader who brought Tiffany & Co. toun paralleled originality and success during the late nineteenth century. This informative, richly illustrated volume—the first study of Moore’s life and influence—presents more than 175 examples from his vast collection, ranging from Greek and Roman glass to Spanish vases, Islamic metalwork, and Japanese textiles. These are juxtaposed with sixty-nine magnificent silver objects created by the designers and artisans at Tiffany who were inspired by Moore’s acquisitions. The illuminating texts have been enriched by groundbreaking research into newspapers, periodicals, the Tiffany & Co. Archives, a newly identified technical manual, and supervisor’s diaries, all of which provide an intimate look at the firm’s design processes and Moore’s role in shaping them. A valuable contribution to the history of American decorative arts, Collecting Inspiration illuminates the legendary Tiffany aesthetic and the legacy of a significant collector, designer, and entrepreneur of the Gilded Age.Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University PressExhibition Schedule:

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Book SynopsisMarking the 125th anniversary of William Morris’s death, this is the most wide-ranging, comprehensive – and beautiful – illustrated study of William Morris ever published.Trade Review'A thing of beauty' - Literary Review'Naturally, the book is beautifully illustrated' - Fabric'A modern classic … could not be more timely' - Homes & Antiques'Celebrating the versatility of the Arts and Crafts polymath, it has chapters on everything from wallpaper to calligraphy … meticulously researched' - House & Garden'A comprehensive, fully illustrated exploration of a great thinker and artist, and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of design' - Let's Talk'Lavish' - Crafts'Gorgeous … the most comprehensive study of Morris ever published … Get lost in the wonderful world of William Morris' - This England'A lavish, 2.5kg tribute to [William Morris's] life and work, which included stained glass, wallpaper, textiles, tableware and more, all designed as an antidote to Victorian fustiness' - The Crafts Council'Wide-ranging, comprehensive and beautiful' - Reclaimed

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Book SynopsisThe first major publication to explore the prolific career of Kaffe Fassett, one of the most recognized names in contemporary craft and design Trade Review“Sumptuous. . . . Showcasing Kaffe’s incredible use of colour in his knitting, quilting and textile designs, the book is a feast for the eye, while interviews and essays explore his life and legacy.”—The Knitter“The craftsman and designer, whose distinct sense of pattern, style and the universe’s many hues has earned him a spot in the pantheon of fantastic artists and artisans—and a brilliant anthology of his work in the book Kaffe Fassett: The Artist’s Eye.”—Antonia Bentel, House & Garden

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