Antiques

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A guide to the history and development of style and design from the year 1700 onwards. From Oriental porcelain and Huguenot silver to Art Deco glass and minimalist contemporary chairs, this book explores a range of decorative pieces including furniture, ceramics, silverware, glass, textiles, sculpture, clocks, and posters through the centuries.

The history of ceramic art is ingrained in the history of mankind. Clay is one of the very first materials 'invented' by man. An essential part of our lives it has been moulded, thrown, glazed, decorated and fired for over 30,000 years in order to preserve and transport food and water. And it was on the surface of these early jugs, vases, dishes, plates, beakers and amphorae that man placed some of his first decorative markings. In more recent times clay has been used not just by artisans and potters, but also by artists, designers... read more

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Collectable "Teddy Bears" is part of a fun new series of gift books featuring pictures and text celebrating a particular area of interest. Here, discover oodles of fascinating fact bites and figures about the world of teddy bears, interspersed with pictures of all kinds of colourful and characterful bears, by manufacturers such as Steiff, Schuco, Bing and Merrythought.

Do you attend car boot sales or browse in antique shops in search of bargains? Have you ever wished you knew more about grandma

"What's in the Attic" explains, with the assistance of hundreds of illustrations and invaluable advice from a team of experts, how to tell if an item is an antique, valuable, or rare.

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Whether you are a novice collector, dealer or enthusiast, this book has been designed to provide you with a practical source of reference, wherever your collecting takes you. It will help you to tell when, where, by whom, and with what quality of metal most silver items are made. It will enable you to identify a piece of silver, tell whether it is English, American or Continental and, if you have ever wondered what 'sterling' silver actually means, or what a crowned harp or the figure of Britannia signify, the answers are in this b... read more

This is an important study of both well-known and forgotten jewellery fashions and trends. It aims to spotlight areas of collectability - mainly from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries - which are available to enthusiasts today. Each chapter - there are now twenty-two in this second edition - concentrates on a specific topic, but there is a comprehensive cross-referencing to other chapters. There are seventy-one colour plates and over 270 black and white illustrations. Almost every item shown has been on the market ... read more

Including the marks of American and British metalwork, this book also includes coverage of ceramics and furniture. The ceramics include English and European marks, as well as Japanese date marks and Chinese reign marks. English, French and European furniture and tapestry marks are also included.

Full of helpful ideas and tips as well as stunning photographs, "A Passion for Jewelry" is the complete illustrated guide on how to appreciate, collect, and care for all types of beautiful jewelry. Beginning with detailed exploration and history of different materials, including classics such as gold, silver, and amber and more unusual ones such as glass and cloth, the book covers everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry. The text explains how to recognize different stones and estimate their worth, where to purchase the mos... read more

This sumptuous book, now updated to mark the opening of the spectacular new Jewellery Gallery at the V&A in May 2008, features exquisite early medieval pieces and superb examples of jewellery design from the Renaissance up to the present. Exceptional photographs illustrate not only rare precious stones but elaborate techniques such as chasing, enamelling and cameo. Famous jewels are featured alongside rings, brooches, pendants, earrings and tiaras, all revealing the beauty and technical virtuosity of their maker's art.

Whether buying gem-set jewellery or loose stones, you will be faced with a colorful array of beauty and value. With such a wide choice - from amethyst to zircon which should you choose? What is it worth, and how do you even know it is real? All that glitters is not gold, as they say, and all that sparkles is not diamond. Gemstones helps to answer these questions in simple and easy to understand terms. As well as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, over 100 gems are featured, with full descriptions, technical details, and tip... read more

Popularized in the 1920s the compact became a beautiful, yet practical woman's fashion accessory. In 380 color photos hundreds of compacts in various materials and styles are shown, accompanied by a delightful history and stories of the girls who did or did not paint themselves up to attract boys. A price guide is included for collectors.

This new book presents hundreds of items never published before and over 200 different manufacturers' markings on Occupied Japan collectibles. Ceramic figurines and dinnerware, books, toys, dolls, and more appear in 533 color photos with value ranges in the captions.

In 1989, author Luca Sacchi began collecting Santa Claus objects and since then has amassed nearly 1,900 pieces. This book features the best of his vast collection. By hunting through flea markets, shops, or department stores, and ordering through the mail, Sacchi's Santa items come from all over the world. Some were presents, others were tirelessly looked for, and many impossible to find. From 1920s, Limoges porcelain to a seventies plastic bubble bath bottle, all of his pieces come from an array of styles and periods. To compleme... read more

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