1 comments about A Royal Menagerie: Meissen Porcelain Animals.

1. Enhanced with 30 color and 17 b/w illustrations, A Royal Menagerie is a superbly presented survey of extraordinary 18th-century porcelain animals from Dresden in all its grandeur. The pieces were created between 1730 and 1735 at the Saxon royal porcelain manufactory in Meissen, near Dresden, were commissioned by Friedrich August I, Elector of Saxony. Samuel Wittwer draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as curator of the ceramics collections at the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation, and the archives of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin in writing an informative and insightful text. Published to accompany an exhibition at the Getty Museum which will run until January 2002, A Royal Menagerie is highly recommended for students and collectors of 18th century porcelain.

No comments about Arman.

2 comments about Netsuke, Familiar and Unfamiliar: New Principles for Collecting.

1. There are many good thoughts for all, carvers, sellers, deallers, collectors.



2. Lavishly illustrated with color photographs of 790 netsuke (plus black and white photos of signatures) with explanatory text and organized into 45 brilliantly conceived categories. In the body of the text (new principles for collecting) Mr. Bushell fully displays the erudition one would expect from such a formidable collector but manages to do so in a way that is easy to grasp and immensely entertaining. Bravo, Mr. Bushell !

1 comments about The Art of the Weathervane.

1. This book has wondeful information on weathervanes and the most beautiful photographs. I highly recommend it.

No comments about The Making of Sculpture.

2 comments about The Original Pink Flamingos: Splendor on the Grass.

1. This appeared to be a couple of flamingos that I intended to stake in my garden instead it was a book of some sort about Pink Flamingos. Nice, but not what I bargained for so I sent it back. No problem.



2. If you are a one of the many lovers of phoeniclpteris ruber plasticus, (pink plastic flamingos), this book will delight you. It is the story of the progression of the p.r.p. from its birth in Leominster, MA, to its spread throughout the United States. The book is the collection of photos summited to the company on the 40th anniversary of the flamingos' entrance into Amercian culture. Writer Tom Herzing gives a delightful tongue-in-cheek dialog of the dear birds; the photos chosen are better than your average bird photos. THE ORIGINAL PINK FLAMINGOS;Spelndor in the Grass, makes a wonderful addition to the usual coffee table clutter of 'real art'.

2 comments about The Materials of Sculpture.

1. Nicholas Penny has brought together the sculpture of the world and tells us the what's and how's.... What is made of and how and he also tells the reasons why certain materials were used. As a student of sculpture I am in a constant state of investigation whether it be in a museum or searching through books and Nicholas Penny has taken me to places I couldn't have gone to without his very informative book! I love to just look at sculpture and if you never read the text you would find yourself engrossed in the wonderful photographic examples of different forms of sculpture throughout the different periods of history. Then Nicholas Penny takes you through all of these different forms in a way that is equally entertaining as it is informative. I Highly recommend this work to anyone curious in the art of sculpture!



2. Nicholas Penny has brought together the sculpture of the world and tells us the what's and how's.... What is made of and how and he also tells the reasons why certain materials were used. As a student of sculpture I am in a constant state of investigation whether it be in a museum or searching through books and Nicholas Penny has taken me to places I couldn't have gone to without his very informative book! I love to just look at sculpture and if you never read the text you would find yourself engrossed in the wonderful photographic examples of different forms of sculpture throughout the different periods of history. Then Nicholas Penny takes you through all of these different forms in a way that is equally entertaining as it is informative. I Highly recommend this work to anyone curious in the art of sculpture!

No comments about Anish Kapoor.

2 comments about Polymer Clay Mosaics.

1. Don't miss this book! It has 15 terrific mosaic, micromosaic, tile and "pietre dure" mosaic projects, including jewelry, home accessories and gifts. Pietre dure mosaics are done with thin layers--really amazing things. There are lots of clear, step-by-step close-up photographs with the instructions for each project, and there are very good tools and techniques sections at the beginning. The unique projects and excellent quality of this book make it a must-have for every polymer clay enthusiast. Patterns are included. The projects look so professional but simple too!



2. These are beautiful mosaics - from classical style to modern - square tesserae to teeny little micro-mosaics, this book has a very nice mix of different techniques. There are even instructions for making simple milliefiori canes.

   Starts with basic polymer stuff, then basic info on assembling and finishing a mosaic, then on to specific patterns. I love the section on pietre dure the best - they remind me of the very beautiful examples I saw in Italy.

   One pattern (grapes & leaves) mimics the style and colors of the mosaics found in the ancient palaces in Rome - and the gold-leafed tesserae on the sconce project is right out of a Byzantine basilica. More modern-looking projects include a Celtic dragon barrette on a beautiful background and a "fossil" tile frame.

   You can easily take any of these projects and substitute your own patterns and colors and even changing the size of the tesserae, making the design more or less complicated to suit your level of patience and available time. Some of the work is going to be painstaking and time-consuming, but for myself, I find that kind of work is very soothing sometimes.

   The book is well-illustrated with lots of pictures to show the steps and the instructions are well written and easy to follow. Another excellent reference from a very prolific polymer clay author.

   zig

No comments about Sculptures Parks in Europe: A Guide to Art and Nature.