Book World Furniture: An Illustrated History - Edited by Helena Hayward

World Furniture: An Illustrated History - A Reference Work on World Furniture

"World Furniture: An Illustrated History," a magnificent reference book edited by Helena Hayward , is a richly illustrated encyclopedic work that traces the history of furniture from antiquity to modern design. An essential volume for collectors, antique dealers, designers, and those passionate about the history of decorative art.

Book Characteristics

• Title: World Furniture: An Illustrated History
• Publisher: Helena Hayward
• Format: Large format with hardcover and dust jacket.
• Illustrations: Hundreds of color and black and white photographs.
• Content: Comprehensive history of world furniture
• Language: English

Contributing Authors

This work brings together contributions from internationally recognized experts in the history of furniture, including Douglas Ash, Yvonne Brunhammer, Laurence Buffet Challie, Joseph T. Butler, Andrew Ciechanowiecki, Anthony Christie, Anthony Coleridge, Serge Grandjean, Charles Handley-Read, John R. Harris, Helena Hayward, J. Hillier, Hugh Honor, John Hunt, Hans Huth, E.T. Joy, Joan Liversidge, Bozenna Maszkowska, Margaret Medley, P.W. Meister, Clifford Musgrave, Th. H. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Herwin Schaefer, Robert C. Smith, and Peter Thornton.

Comprehensive Content

The book offers a panoramic view of the evolution of furniture across centuries and continents, covering styles, periods, and cultures from ancient Egyptian furniture to 20th-century contemporary design. Each chapter is written by an expert in the specific field, ensuring depth and academic rigor.

Periods and Styles Covered

The book explores furniture from various eras and regions, including classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, oriental styles (Chinese, Japanese, Indian), colonial furniture, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and modern design. Each style is historically contextualized and illustrated with notable examples.

Quality Illustrations

The book is richly illustrated with hundreds of high-quality photographs, including pieces from museums, private collections, and historic palaces. The images show details of construction, ornamentation, and design, allowing for a deep visual understanding of the stylistic evolution of furniture.

The cover presents a striking visual contrast between a modern designer chair (likely the Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen), a gilded Rococo mirror, a lacquered Oriental piece of furniture, and an ornate French chest of drawers, symbolizing the temporal and geographical diversity addressed in the work.

Reference Value

"World Furniture" is considered one of the most comprehensive reference works on the history of furniture, used by academics, museum curators, antique dealers, interior designers, and collectors. Helena Hayward's edition has become a classic in the field of decorative art history.

State of Conservation

Vintage book in good condition. Hardcover with dust jacket included. Clean and well-preserved pages. Clear and vibrant illustrations. Signs of use consistent with its age that do not compromise reading or appreciation of the images. Complete and functional volume.

An essential work for libraries specializing in decorative arts, for collectors of reference books on furniture, for antique dealers and restorers, for interior designers and decorators, or for anyone interested in the history and evolution of furniture design. A valuable investment in knowledge and visual culture.