By Emily Eerdmans
with a foreword by Mario Buatta
and introduction by Rachel Karr

Published on the occasion of the gallery's fortieth anniversary, this lavishly illustrated volume celebrates the singular sophistication of classic English antiques and interiors.

On the ascension of William and Mary to the throne of England at the end of the seventeenth century, a golden age of design and taste ensued that brought this country's decorative arts to unparalleled heights of excellence. For the next 130 years, English craftsmen executed objects with the finest materials and advanced techniques, producing timeless designs that were tailor-made for the sumptuous interiors in which they sat.

In this glorious tome, one will discover the unique flair the English had for bringing together a wide range of influences to create objects of extraordinary beauty and masterful craftsmanship, including the gilt and ornamental extravagances of the French king Louis XIV, the exoticism of the Orient, and the sober grandeur of classical Greek and Roman antiquity. Antiques expert Emily Eerdmans introduces the reader to the characteristics of the styles considered, beginning with William and Mary and Queen Anne and closing with the ever-popular Regency, including information on techniques and materials. The author also affords the reader a glimpse of the distinctive features of the interiors for each period, in addition to detailed discussions of the major figures who dictated style and taste, including William Kent, Robert Adam, and Thomas Hope, among others.

The more than 150 exceptional objects featured here come from Hyde Park Antiques' unsurpassed collection, which are showcased among scores of charming illustrations of period interiors, exquisite drawings from cabinetmakers; pattern books, such as Thomas Chippendale's Director and George Hepplewhite's Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, as well as contemporary interiors from the world's luminary decorators, including Mario Buatta, Parish Hadley, and Cullman and Kravis, among many others. Recommended for both the serious collector and the more casual admirer of traditional English style and design, this volume is destined to be a classic and is a must-have addition for every antiques aficionado's library.

Author
Emily Eerdmans received her master's degree in fine and decorative arts from Sotheby's Institute of Art in London and has pursued her passion for antique furniture while working for Hyde Park Antiques, New York, for six years. Particularly intrigued by historical interiors and their furnishings, she has worked as a consultant to the New York historic house museum, the Merchant's House Museum, and has written articles for the Furniture History Journal and Connoisseur's Quarterly.

Foreword
Mario Buatta is considered one of the foremost decorators working today. Known for his modern take on classic English style, he has developed a client list that includes A-list celebrities, media magnates, and titans of industry.

Introduction
Rachel Karr, daughter of Hyde Park Antiques founders Bernard and Barbara Karr, officially joined the firm in 1993, though without realizing, she has been a part of the gallery for thirty-eight years. True dealers eat, breathe, and live antiques, and she grew up constantly exposed to the best, listening in and absorbing a huge body of knowledge. When she finally came into the family business, she brought a considerable body of accumulated expertise with her that has grown as her role at the gallery has expanded.

Hardcover:  304 pages
Dimensions:  12.1 x 9.3 x 1.3 inches
Publisher:  Rizzoli (November 14, 2006)
ISBN:  0847828638
Shipping Weight:  4.6 pounds
Price:  $60.00
Shipping:  $10.00 (UPS Ground, continental US)

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