This major publication tells the story of design and decorative art in Britain from the time of Henry VIII to the reign of Queen Victoria. It shows how Britain's political rise during this period to become the most powerful nation on earth directly influenced her design and manufacturing output. Matching the royal dynasties of the period, the book is divided into the three major sections: Tudor and Stuart Britain; Georgian Britain and Victorian Britain, each looking at the achievements of British design in different and revealing ways. Key themes such as: Style, Who Led Taste, Fashionable Living and What Was New, form a framework for each section and place the designs within a social as well as historical context.
Unmatched in its completeness, the hugely wide-ranging study provides a fascinating picture of the evolution of design and the decorative arts over four centuries. The lavish illustrations are taken chiefly from the V&A's unrivalled collections of British art and design.