American Furniture: Understanding Styles, Construction, and Quality
In his latest work, craftsman, historian, educator, and author Kirk demystifies the complexities of identifying notable styles, trends, and techniques of American furniture. Organized by period and style, the text covers more than three centuries of the evolutionary development of furniture from the 17th century to the present, focusing on the regional movements and variations found in certain pieces. Throughout, he emphasizes both the aesthetic beauty and inherent functional quality of handcrafted furniture. Assisted by a multitude of illustrations, including both photographs and line drawings, Kirk enables the reader to distinguish European pieces from those created in the United States and to identify authentic pieces vs. fakes. This informative and instructive work can serve as a guide for enthusiasts, collectors, and students of various levels and will be a welcome addition to any library.DStephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Libs., Johnson CityCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.