What style is it? How is it put together? Is it real or is it a fake? How can I make it look its best without destroying its value? A savvy authority answers these and many other questions about when, where, how, and even why a piece of furniture was made. And by juxtaposing genuine works with copies, he shows how to judge the quality and authenticity of antiques to distinguish a fake from the real thing. Covering three centuries of changing styles, this handsome and useful volume details each period's essential traits, offering practical guidance to novice and seasoned collectors alike. The book moves sequentially through major design periods, including the popular William and Mary and Queen Anne styles, Rococo and Chippendale, Federal, Shaker, Modern, and Revival. Illustrations of silverwork and paintings set the furniture in context, and comparisons with European pieces point out the unique aspects of American design.
JOHN T. KIRK, Emeritus Professor of Art History, Boston University, and for many years a principal lecturer for the American Arts Course at Sotheby's, New York, has held museum curatorial positions at Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, and the Rhode Island Historical Society. His various awards and grants include a Guggenheim Fellowship, which led to his book The Shaker World: Art, Life, Belief. He lives in Seattle.
251 illustrations, 57 in full color, 7 line drawings, 81/2 x 111/2"
