Jonathan Meyer, with his special interest in the furniture of the period, looks at major international exhibitions held during the nineteenth century, and makes the reader aware of the important changes taking place at this time. Although the general study of furniture and items of domestic decoration in the nineteenth century has not been neglected and many titles have been published, yet, strangely, these exhibitions have not been extensively covered. Jonathan has examined the enormous changes brought about by the industrial revolution, already in evidence with machinery and scientific methods applied to the decorative arts, and discusses, with the aid of numerous contemporary illustrations, many taken from the voluminous catalogues produced for the exhibitions, how these changes influenced the decorative arts themselves.
A wide-ranging and striking collection of illustrations, mostly from contemporary sources, provides the reader with a very good idea of the exceptionally high quality of inventiveness and workmanship displayed by the manufacturers and their exhibits. Examples discussed and illustrated cover most areas of manufacture and include ceramics; silver and metalwork; furniture; cast iron and garden furniture; chandeliers and candelabra; clocks; bronze ornament; textiles; chimney-pieces and interior design. All are accompanied by an informative yet readable text which seeks to leave the reader, whether experienced or new to the subject, with the desire to learn more about these extraordinary and fascinating events and their wide appeal to the vast numbers of people, from all walks of life, who attended them.
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