No comments about Spongeware 1835-1935: Makers, Marks, and Patterns (Schiffer Book for Collectors.).

3 comments about Raw.

1. I thought these black & white photographs by James Houston of male & female models were beautifully done. These images of the human body featured as sculptural forms interacting with the natural environment are very tasteful, artistic and classically photographed. There are more male images shown than female. The lighting and shadows cast on these well developed muscular bodies show us what a talented and inventive photographer James Houston really is. A native of Sydney, Australia, Mr. Houston's work has won many awards, and you can see why when you view these beautiful photos in this book. These photographs were taken over a period of five years all over the world.

   I enjoyed this book, and know it will share a special place in my collection. This book should appeal to both male and female's who collect & enjoy nude studies of the human body.




2. Beauty has been defined as the connection between the mundane and the divine. Expressions of such an elusive quarry are counted among society's most sacred and valuable treasures. One such treasure is this collection of photographs by James Houston. His photographs speak of the heroic, the eternal, the protean visage of our species. Beguiling, seductive, and memorable, they are postcards from humanity's Golden Age.

   In these pages you will find light and shadow moulded into sculptural forms - sometimes as abstractions of edged plains and gleaming surfaces, at times as glowing über-physiques, taut and poised in Olympian poses. The secret of James Houston's great gift is to invoke in the consciousness of his audience a palpable vision of human beauty sensed, but rarely seen. James Houston is one of Australia's leading fashion photographers, contributing to Italian Harper's Bazaar and Australian Vogue, among photographic awards and made him an inspiration to all those who set out on their personal odyssey in search of art, truth and beauty. RAW is his first book.- from Verlag Der Kunst




3. This book added another dimension to the art of photography

2 comments about Indian Artifacts of the Midwest: Book II (Indian Artifacts of the Midwest).

1. The descriptions and price estimates were helpful. The complete lack of color photos, except for the cover, was an extreme disapointment. The photos ranged from average to poor quality and were of limited value in indentifying artifacts. I feel the book description should have clearly noted the lack of color photos.



2. One week ago I went to do some house hunting and found something I wasn't looking for. While going through the house I came upon a large collection of Indian Artifacts. I knew almost nothing about them but susspected they were highly valuable. The next day an estate auction was held and I purchased the collection. Upon searching the internet for some information it became obvious what the best source was for identification of my midwest collection, Lar Hothem's book "Indian Artifacts of the Midwest." I purchased the book and was able to quickly identify many of the pieces that I knew nothing about. The book was written so a "layman" like myself could easily understand and identify many of the the basic artifacts. The quality photographs added to the pleasure of my learning. I was very pleased to realize the age, almost 10,000 years, and value of my collection. Thanks to such a thorough and readable source I now find myself hooked on the collecting and identifying of very interesting artfacts left in my area so long ago.

No comments about Hiding the Audience: Viewing Arts and Arts Institutions on the Prairies.

1 comments about Kamoro Art: Tradition and Innovation in a New Guinea Culture.

1. Kamoro Art: Tradition And Innovation In A New Guinea Culture will find its place in any art history collection with special focus on primitive tribes and peoples in general and Asia in particular, covering the neglected art of the Kamoro peoples living in Papua. Major pieces from the collection of the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde supplements other pieces from other Netherlands holdings to provide a comprehensive visual coverage accompanied by a fine essay on major ceremonies by Jan Pouwer and other contributions.

2 comments about Contemporary Painting in Poland.

1. Contemporary Painting in Poland is an absolute delight for all wishing to better understand the contemporary art (painting) scene in Poland. Mr. Noyce provides a brief, yet thorough history of Polish painting, accompanied by insightful profiles of 48 notable, contemporary Polish artists. Excellent examples of the artists' works fill the 236 large-formatted pages. As a Polish-American, I found the book truly inspiring and have reserved a special spot in my library for it.



2. I have both of Mr. Noyce's books covering Polish painting and graphic arts. They represent an excellent overview of current art in Poland. I lived in Poland for two years and purchased many pieces by artists represented in Noyce's books. This book covered quite a few artists I had not known about. From my experience, contemporary painting is not as developed or respected in Poland as the graphic arts and printmaking. This is a great reference guide that I am going to use the next time I am back in Poland.

   It is wonderful to have these books accompanying my art collection.

No comments about Shaker Architecture.

No comments about Cigarette Cards and How To Collect Them.

4 comments about Axel Vervoordt: The Story of a Style.

1. This book is a true classic and a MUST for anyone interested in antiques or interior design. We were very fortunate to first be introduced to Vervoordt at the 1984 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires where his booth, displaying Ming porcelain lost in 1645 in the South China Sea and recently recovered, was the sensation of the Salon. All of that massed blue-and-white in a large booth at the center of the Grand Palais drew lots of attention to the 37-year old Vervoordt and his subsequent success allowed him to restore a magnificent Belgian chateau over the next four years for use as both home and gallery. Much of this book is photographed in his home/gallery chateau.
   
   This book provides a superb overview of his aesthetic, one which can incorporate a huge Anish Kapoor sculpture (perhaps circa 1995) with ancient stone Thai carvings, gorgeous Renaissance bronzes and wonderful European furniture. Think Rose Tarlow on steroids. The photography is excellent, almost all color, many full-page, and the scale of the book is appropriately large.
   
   If the eclecticism of a Cy Twombly (a contemporary abstract painter) displayed in a warm wood interior appropriate for 17th C. Amsterdam sounds intriguing, he may be on your wave length. The array of tasteful objects beautifully presented is a key feature of the book. His collection (all of which is always for sale) will no doubt include some superb items which you have really never looked at before; when you read about the object, you may reconsider. His enthusiasm is contagious.
   
   Those primarily interested in interior design may find his new book "Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors" more interesting because it shows some twenty homes he has done for clients. But if you only want one book on Vervoordt and if you can afford this out-of-print text, I'd go with the Meredith Etherington-Smith volume.



2. Axel Vervoordt is an artist in his own right. A designer and collector of art from all periods of history, he presents here the work of his life's vision - creating spaces where all of the arts from all cultures and timeframes meld into subtle, elegant, harmonious and extraordinarily beautiful spaces.
   
   Vervoordt's keen eye for excellence demonstrates how architectural features of a building/living space are enhanced by a combination of art objects, drawings, paintings, murals, artifacts and bits of nature. The results are page after stunning page of thoughtful, quiet splendor. Mixed with commentary from Vervoordt (with written statements by Meredith Etherington-Smith) and exceptional photography by Laziz Hamani this book goes far beyond the borders of volumes about design. This is a bold and inspiring homage to Style. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05



3. Five stars are not enough! I have savored every word of this gorgeous book. The philosophy of this remarkable man is truly inspiring--his work is very personal, and seeing it and reading about it are a privilege. Anyone interested in interior design, antiques, or art would benefit from owning a copy of this outstanding, intelligent work.



4. Every once in a great while a person enters this world who truly makes a difference. Axel is such a person - generous, brilliant, cultured and admired. He works very hard and has endless passion for life and for the joys of his life. This book is a glimpse into what Axel does, into what he lives for. As you read this book and marvel at what heights of artistry, inspiration, then continue on to Axel's web site, at axel-vervoordt.com. You might even be moved to travel to s'Gravenwezel, northeast of Antwerpen, and visit the world he is building there since the mid 60's. It's a wonderful book about a wonderful person.

No comments about Modern Style: Jugendstil/Art Nouveau 1899-1905.