The V&A Guide to Period Styles: 400 Years of British Art and Design

Indispensable for collectors, decorators, dealers, and anyone interested in antiques or architecture, this concise, beautifully illustrated, and fact-filled book identifies and explains 23 major stylistic movements in British decorative arts from 1500 to 1900. Clearly organized, the book presents characteristic examples from each period to help readers distinguish Baroque from Rococo, Renaissance from Medieval Revival, Aestheticism from Arts and Crafts, and much more. Some 300 full-color reproductions of superb objects from the Victoria and Albert Museum include many close-up details to spotlight each style's signature elements.

Straightforward descriptive texts, as well as brief biographies of principal designers, architects, and patrons, supplement the visuals.