Editorial Review

To take something as ordinary as wire and present it as a trueart form is an amazing achievement, and this book does exactly that.According to Suzanne Slesin, the story of wire as a component of usefuland decorative household objects began in Slovakia in the 17th century,where tinkers used thin strands of iron to repair household pottery.The art of wirework flourished and traveled throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the next century, becoming highly developed andquite popular by the end of the 1800s; utilitarian objects such asbaskets, bottle racks, serving dishes, plant stands, trivets, andbirdcages were both made of and embellished with wire. Sadly, wireornamentation as a decorative art is mainly a thing of the past, butbecause these objects are so sturdy, they can often be purchased asantiques. The book has a long directory of European and Americansources for wirework. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Comprehensive historical and technical book
As an artist and metal worker, I've found this book comprehensive. Great illustrations and historical documents. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. General    6. Interior Design    7. Metal Arts And Crafts    8. Textiles & Costume    9. Wire craft    10. Wire in interior decoration    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. Decorative arts & crafts    14. Home furnishing & decoration    15. Metals technology / metallurgy   

Reviews (12)

comprehensive pattern compilation/hallmarks lack
Maybe if there was some way to put all of these people in one room and force them to print one reference book for sterling flatware, then MAYBE, just MAYBE, it wouild finally be complete. While this reference is comprehensive with its coverage of patterns and companies, its hallmark references for getting to that comopany are lackluster, but aA for effort!

My review on Flatware Book
This is an excellent book. I buy and sell sterling flatware and wish I had had this book years ago. The author does a superb job. The illustrations are great. I highly recommend this book!

Shines like Polished Sterling
Superb resource book, very well written and laid out.Pictures are excellent.It was so easy to use that my nine (9) year old nephew identified several obscure patterns by himself.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver    4. Catalogs    5. Collecting    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Reference / Catalogs    8. Silver    9. Silver flatware    10. Silverware    11. United States    12. Patterns   

Reviews (6)

he's nuts, but he produces fabulous art
as good as the book is, i must say that it pales in comparison to seeing his work in person.i saw some of it at the renwick gallery in washington d.c. and it's just incredible.he's come out of his shell in the last fewyears but has been producing great stuff for a long time. Ho-Hum
Great photography and sculptures, but the writing style is fool's gold. Too expensive as well, even with the Amazon reduction. It's great but not that great.

Simply Brilliant, Simply Authentic, Simply Golden.
As a professor of Art History at an Afghani University, I would like to congratulate, extol, and exult Daniel Brush's masterpiece of a monograph. Its insight and vivid explanations are invaluable and I am discussing withmy colleagues about including it as an elective course for my students. Itssheer brilliance exemplifies its utter domination over any other art book.Congratulations to Daniel Brush for enhancing the art world. He will surelygo down in history as the pioneer of gold sculpting and as example for all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Art    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Brush, Daniel    6. Catalogs    7. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    8. Criticism and interpretation    9. Design - Decorative    10. Goldwork    11. History    12. Individual Artist    13. United States    14. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver    15. Gold & silversmithing    16. Individual artists    17. Jewellery & jewellery-making    18. USA   

Reviews (2)

Recommended reading with minor caveats - 4.75 stars
This book is a visual feast and factual whopper! With vintage Indian Jewelry gaining popularity, this 200 page hardback book is a 'must read' if, for no other reason than to enjoy the pictures . . . fabulous! Also, much credit is deservedly given to artisans; it was refreshing to see the old timers names alive once again. The price guide is nice but very wide ranging. I spotted one or two factual errors but in a book of this scope, they are minor. I am always concerned about 'back scratching' when a high volume of the photo credits go to such a limited number of sources (owners/collectors/sellers), which is prevalent in this volume; otherwise, I believe you can rely on the very well written facts and figures. The historical overview is excellent and detailed. But most important, if you have any old Indian jewelry similar to those found in these pages, you have something of significance and value. You can bet online auctions will be replete with references to this beautifully illustrated book. Like I said, must read . . . even more . . . must own!

Southwestern silver jewelry
I like this book.I have other books by Paula Baxter, and I new that this one was going to be just as good. I make Indian jewelry and I'm always looking for picture books on the old Indian jewelry and this book is "chuck full of pictures of old jewelry and tools that were used to make the jewelry". The pictures are clear,clean,and big. If you like the way the indian jewelry looked back in the early part of the 1900's this is the book for you. Paula, did a vary nice job and I wish to thank her for this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Indian silverwork    5. Indians of North America    6. Jewelry    7. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    8. Southwest, New    9. Antiques & Collectables    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (1)

A good biographical book on Hector Aguilar and his influence
This book is well done. But, it is not a Morrill and Berk book on an overview of Mexican Silver and Taxco. It is more narrow in scope that its title would suggest concentrating in depth on Hector Aguilar and making himmuch more a personna than Morill and Berk do in their book, where he isdwarfed by Spratling. The photos in this book are of homes and people. Thephotos there are of silver of the Taller are good but do not again expectthe detail to the Morrill and Berk book. This is a supplement and to loversof Aguilar and those who wish to know more about the man and his life bothpersonal and professional. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aguilar, Hâector    3. Antiques & Collectibles    4. Antiques / Collectibles    5. Antiques/Collectibles    6. General    7. History    8. Metal Arts And Crafts    9. Mexico    10. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    11. Silversmiths    12. Silverwork    13. Taxco de Alarcon    14. Taxco de Alarcâon    15. Aguilar, Héctor    16. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    17. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    18. Gold & silversmithing   

Reviews (3)

Too expensive and not comprehensive
It definitely should have been better! Pictures and info lack any real knowledge of the subject, and often times just had wrong information. Very disappointed. A big book with little value to me.

Only for a beginner, and not terribly informative
Expectations of visual and historical information for this expensive book should be high. But exceptionally poor photography and lack of any rigorous understanding of the history of jewelry and design in the text from these authors rate this book a tepid two stars only. It should have been better, coming from this antique specialty publisher, since it is a facinating subject, and there isn't much available in print.

cameos classical to costume
I have had this book for the past year and have been a cameo collector for25 years and this is my favorite book of all my collectors books ,I use itnearly every day to chech things out or to just browse and wish.It is veryinformative and the pictures are clear .I highly recommend this book to anycameo collector , ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Cameos    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Jewelry    7. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    8. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    9. Carving & carvings   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Asia - India & South Asia    5. General    6. Metal Work    7. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    8. Base metal & ironworking    9. Ethnic studies    10. Gold & silversmithing    11. India    12. Jewellery & jewellery-making    13. Oriental art   

Reviews (3)

A superb guide for Mexican silver collectors
An antique dealer turned me on to this book and I finally bought it this past summer at an antique expo here in Portland, Oregon.The price tag is a bit spendy, but the information within, along with the masterful photogrpahy, makes this book well worth the money.Any serious collector of Mexican silver needs to have this book in their library.The authors give readers an inside look at the artists that have made mid-century to contemporary silversmithing in Taxco what it is today.

Mexican Silver's artful insight
The is virtually pure eye candy for any one who appreciates this type of fine craftmanship. I like the over 400 color photographs. This is the best way for someone to get the true feeling of this type of art. I missed some kind of explanation of rarity for some of these creations. This was one of the main reasons I was looking for this kind of reference. Nonetheless this is an exquisite reference book with 272pp and a feast for the eyes. It's worth the price.

MEXICAN SILVER BY MORRILL
ABSOLUTELY A MUST FOR THE MEXICAN SILVER COLLECTOR WITH AMPLE PICTURES TOGO WITH THE TEXT. THE BOOK IS WELL WRITTEN WITH PASSAGES ABOUT THE TRUEMASTERS OF THE TAXCO AREA ALONG WITH THEIR COHORTS. IT SHOWS THE HALLMARKSOR TOUCH MARKS ON THE WORK OF THE MASTERS,THIS PROVES TO BE A GODSEND INIDENTIFING AND UNDERSTANDING THE VALUES OF THIS VERY COLLECTABLE SILVER.INALL MY YEARS OF COLLECTIONG MEXICAN SILVER I HAD SUSPECTED THAT SOME DAY,SOMEONE WOULD PUT OUT A KNOWLEDGABLE HANDBOOK FOR THE TRADE AND SPOTLIGHTTHE SPRATLINGS, DAVIS AND OTHER ARTISTS. A BIG THANKS GOES TO PENNYMORRILL, AND HERE STAFF.i.e CAROL BERK ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    4. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    5. Gold & silversmithing    6. Mexico   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Design    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Technique    7. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    8. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    9. Gold & silversmithing    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (1)

Good book for the money
This book has some wonderful photographs, and lots of jewelry you won't see anywhere else.It covers many designers that are overlooked by many jewelry book authors.There is a lot of information in this book, making it as good for reading as it is for picture viewing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Costume jewelry    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Jewelry    6. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    7. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    8. Costume    9. Gold & silversmithing    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (3)

You'll Go Back to This Book Again and Again
One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.

You'll Go Back to This Book Again and Again
One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.

You'll Go Back to This Book Again and Again
One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Costume jewelry    4. History    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    10. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    11. Handicrafts   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Catalogs    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Great Britain    7. Reference - Price Guides    8. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    9. Silverwork    10. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    11. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    12. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

Book of Old Silver (Hallmarks)
The book was in or above the condition described and is the product I was looking for.I was glad that it was readily available through Amazon.

Good reference
I bought this one, along withe another (Sterling Flatware Identification & Value Guide) for my mom and she uses it a lot.I think she uses the other one more but she always has both on hand.It has a lot of good info on how to id a piece, great pictures of hallmarks etc.

The classic book on antique English silver!
This book is a must have if you collect antique English silver. If you only want one book on the subject this is it. If you collect American or European silver, this book would not be my first choice. You can't get more info on antique English silver including hallmarks, history, and the different pieces of flatware and holloware that were made with any other Silver book I have ever read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. General    5. Hall-marks    6. Hallmarks    7. Plate    8. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    9. Silversmithing    10. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Catalogs    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Decorative cast-ironwork    8. General    9. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    10. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    11. Base metal & ironworking   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Clock and watch makers    4. Clocks & Watches    5. History    6. Switzerland    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Wrist watches    10. Antique clocks & watches    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. Clocks & chronometers   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. General    6. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    7. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    8. General encyclopaedias    9. USA   

Reviews (4)

Beautiful and Informative Book
This book far exceeded my expectations for the price!The only minor criticism I have is that I wish ALL the photographs had been in color.A great deal......

FANTASTIC!!
Beautiful book, this book was much more than I expected.The pictures of jewellery and the information contained within was worth every penny.

Art Nouveau Jewelry
This is a gorgeous book with fine high quality photos and great history, but it lacks a price guide which would add greatly to the appeal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art nouveau    5. Decoration and ornament    6. History    7. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    8. Jewelry    9. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    10. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    11. Art Deco    12. Europe    13. Gold & silversmithing    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making    15. USA   

Reviews (1)

The best book in English or Chinese available.
I used this book to train myself in judging the quality and authenticity of Chinese silver last year in markets throughout China (especially in Beijing). The book really teaches you what you need to know to understand the symbolism contained in the objects you encounter and it is really a book rooted in Anthropology. The examples in the book range from typical examples of things up to museum pieces . The photography is first rate and far better than that in Chinese books on the subject. The time and effort which went into writing this book as wel as the collecting of these objects is clearly a labor of love . If you want to understand Chinese Silver this book has no equal . And even if you don't collect silver this book may be the best available analysis of typical Chinese Symbolism regardless of its focus on silver . ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Asian    4. General    5. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    6. China    7. Gold & silversmithing   

Reviews (1)

A must have for collectors of Antique English Silver
This book is a must have for anyone who collects antique English silver. Not as comprehensive as a lot of others I have seen which is actually a plus since it fits comfortably in your pocket when you go antiquing. I keep my copy next to my computer so I have it handy while surfing the silver listings on eBay. Well worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Great Britain    7. Hallmarks    8. Metal Arts And Crafts    9. Reference - General    10. Sheffield plate    11. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    12. Silverwork    13. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver    14. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    15. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    16. Base metal & ironworking    17. STUDY AIDS - Advanced Placement    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (2)

very good information. and good for research.
Hi I bouhgt Southwestern Indian Jewelry and it arrived with no plastic wrap and the jacket was damaged. Please let me know how to go about exchanging it for another in perfect condition. I am a collector and condition is important.Thank You, Joe Garcia.

The one book on American Indian jewelery you must own.
As a collector of Indian art, jewelery, pottery and rugs, I had the wonderful good fortune to know and consider the Hopi Master jeweler Charles Loloma my friend. Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Folk & Outsider Art    4. General    5. Indians of North America    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Native American Art    9. Southwest, New    10. Southwestern States    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. India    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making