Description:
Treasury of American Design And Antiques A Pictorial Survey of Popular Folk Arts Based upon Watercolor Renderings in the Index of American Design, at the National Gallery of Art
Two Volumes In One
Clarence P. Hornung
Harrison House 1986
Hardcover 2 volumes 846 pages 9½ X 12
Book is in very good condition. DJ has edge shelf wear and bumped corners.
The Index of American Design, a record of American craft traditions from early Colonial times to the close of the nineteenth century, was executed during the 1930s by hundreds of artists from thirty-five states under the Works Progress Administration. It was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the arts.
Each artist searched a specific area for the finest or most representative examples of American design and then rendered them in watercolor or tempera.
Almost 3,000 illustrations , including 800 in full color, have been selected from the Index to create this magnificent volume-making most of these plates available for the first time.
The author, Clarence P. Hornung, is an acknowledged authority on American design. He begins the story of American crafts with the exciting period of the first settlers, when a primary concern was the building of ships to maintain a lifeline with England.
Gradually domestic necessities too were refined, resulting, for example, in a proliferation of beautiful glassware, goblets, pitchers, plates, candlesticks, bottles - all fully illustrated
As the Colonists' life became more profitable, around the middle of the eighteenth century, a cult of fine cabinetry set in; during this period some of the country's most distinguished cabmiemakers flourished, developing distinctive American pieces such as the rocking chair, as well as magnificent highboys, grandfather clocks and other domestic furniture.
For woman's needs, more refined cooking ware, silverware, pewter and numerous time saving devices were designed. She too contributed to popular items with inventive weaving, quilts, and samplers.
For children there were colorful circus wagons, merry-go-rounds, dolls, pupets and toys.
Finally the author focuses on regional areas across the nation - the Pennsylvania Germans, the Shakers with their particular tools and ways of life.
This volume is packed with treasures of American inventiveness and craftsmanship for anyone interested in art, history, or American culture. A must for your American Antiques collection.
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