Early American Decorative Arts, 1620-1860 : A Handbook for Interpreters

Winterthur Museum is world renowned for its decorative arts collections and its strong interpretive programs. During the half century since Winterthur opened to the public, its staff has worked to compile comprehensive training materials for Winterthur interpreters, culminating in the Handbook for Winterthur Interpreters. Now, Winterthur educators Rosemary Krill and Pauline Eversmann have adapted that guide for general use. Early American Decorative Arts, 1620-1860: A Handbook for Interpreters is an indispensable guide for anyone involved with interpretation of decorative arts collections. Krill and Eversmann first define and elucidate the principles and goals of interpretation, explain how to look at objects, and help the reader to understand style. Then in later chapters they provide comprehensive descriptions and explanations of many items in styles ranging from seventeenth-century Mannerist to Empire, or Late Classical. Included are furniture, ceramics, textiles, paintings, pictures and prints, glass, pewter, and clocks, as well as other objects. Their interpretive approach situates each type and style within the social, economic, and cultural contexts of its time. More than 180 photographs drawn from the dazzling Winterthur collections help to illustrate details, and extensive bibliographies provide additional resources for further research and study. This book is an absolute must-have resource for curators, educators, interpreters, and students of decorative arts. Published in cooperation with Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library