Encyclopedia of Furniture Materials, Trades and Techniques (2000)

‘There is a need for a volume like this one, and I have no doubt that it will become a standard and popular text very rapidly. Clive Edwards is a perfect person to produce this volume. I know of no one in Britain better suited for this task.’ Paul Greenhalgh, Head of Research, Victoria & Albert Museum An essential work of reference for furniture historians and anyone interested in the fine and decorative arts, the Encyclopedia of Furniture Materials, Trades and Techniques is the first comprehensive account of both historical and modern furniture manufacture. In more than 1700 entries, Clive Edwards brings together information on a wide range of topics, among them, Applied Decoration, Carving, Chair-making, Embroidery, Finishing, Glass, Lacquer, Leather, Paper, Plastics, Timbers, Tools, Trades, Stone, Upholstery, Wicker and Zips. In-depth coverage includes developments in Britain and America, from the Renaissance to the present day. The increasingly international nature of the furniture industry extends this account to include the origin of materials and processes throughout the world. Contemporary descriptions, accounts and inventories provide fascinating context. This highly readable volume offers invaluable insights into the social status of furniture, the economic history of the industry, and the lives of the craftsmen and craftswomen working within it. Many entries are cross-referenced to related topics and include major bibliographical references. The entries are supported by 150 black-and-white illustrations and 24 colour plates.