A fascinating exploration of the use of wood in human history: half a million years of tools, devices, construction, art and architecture, from wedges, planes, screws and pulleys to stave ch... read more
The work of Lucien Boucher, 37 of whose marvellous lithographs of Parisian shop fronts are reproduced here, along with an extended, illustrated essay by James Russell and Shaun Whiteside's t... read more
The author (an extremely active American lawyer) guides us through her own eclectic collection, from an ancient Chinese horse sculpture to a metal snail from a hardware store. Most of us wou... read more
The Japanese sculptor is the fourth generation of a family of bamboo masters: this is a gorgeous book on his work - some of which is huge. Delightfully, his family name means "master of the... read more
The two great cabinet-makers worked together for nearly half a century; their clientele and influence were on a par with those of their more famous contemporary, Thomas Chippendale. This mag... read more
Magnificent descriptions of the cistus harvest in Andalucia, lavender in Provence, bergamots in Calabria, cinnamon in Sri Lanka, oud in Bangladesh, vetiver in Haiti, benzoin in Laos, roses i... read more
Based on a single private collection, this is the most comprehensive book there has been on the subject. Wonderful pictures, and a valuable reference work.
This is a fascinating illustrated book on the often elaborate and arresting labels used by British textile manufacturers when exporting to India during the Raj.
A sumptuous reprint of d'Hancarville's catalogue of Hamilton's Greek vases, with its fabulous hand-coloured engraved plates splendidly reproduced. First published in Naples in the 1760s, the... read more
The catalogue to accompany an exhibition at Museo delle Culture di Lugano in the Villa Malpensata, home to the Montgomery Collection. Textiles, paintings, objects of quotidian use, etc.
A splendid guide to over a hundred museums not only in Tokyo but far beyond - in Kyoto, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Shikoku, Kyushu, etc. Includes museums of traditional arts and artist's houses, as... read more
The 'green fingers' behind JamJar Flowers chronicles the botanical history of flower pressing, from foxgloves to fritillaries, through lampshades, lilies, oshibana, jasmine, and many more de... read more
Gorgeous colour images, as well as translations and commentary on these celebrated Persian poems. Both manuscripts date from the C15th and are exquisitely illustrated. This will be ravishing... read more
Looks at Jane's contribution too in this extraordinary personal and creative partnership. SFC's earlier book To See Clearly: Why Ruskin Matters was excellent.
From the library of Marguerite Littman.
Hardback bound in pale yellow cloth; colour photos throughout, with illustrations listed in English as well in Russian; introduction in Russian wit... read more