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Fringe, Frog and Tassel
The Art of the Trimmings-Maker in Interior Decoration
Fringe, Frog and Tassel
The Art of the Trimmings-Maker in Interior Decoration
Description
Lavishly illustrated with new photography, Fringe, Frog and Tassel is the first survey of the history, design and use of trimmings in the historic interiors of Britain and Ireland.
Trimmings are often overlooked as mere details of a furnished interior. However, in the past they were seen as vital and costly elements in the decoration of a room. They were used not only on curtains and beds but also on wall hangings, upholstered seat furniture and cushions, providing a visual feast for the eye with their colour and intricate detail. Sometimes more expensive than the rich fabrics they enhanced, trimmings are often the only surviving evidence of a lost decorative scheme, reapplied to replacement textiles or found as fragments in the attic.
This book, the first of its kind, traces their history in Britain and Ireland from 1320 to 1970, examining the design and usage of tassels, fringe, braid (woven lace), gimp and cord and their dependence on French fashion. The substantial text links surviving items in historic houses and museums to written evidence, paintings, drawings and other primary sources to provide a firm framework for dating pieces of less-certain provenance. The importance of the 'laceman', the maker of these trimmings, is also examined within an economic and social context, together with the relationship to the upholsterer and interior decorator in the creation of a fashionable room.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Role of the Silkwoman 1320-1550
2. The Role of the Silkman 1550-1660
3. Baroque Exuberance 1660-1690
4. Baroque Embellishment 1690-1715
5. Palladian Restraint 1715-1760
6. Neoclassical Interlude 1760-1790
7. Regency Excess 1790-1830
8. Victorian Extravagance 1830-1880
9. Retrospection and Restraint 1880-1970
Glossary
Relative value of the pound 1450–1950
Notes
Picture credits
Select bibliography
Index
Product details
| Published | 14 Nov 2019 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 288 |
| ISBN | 9781781300756 |
| Imprint | Philip Wilson Publishers |
| Dimensions | 280 x 230 mm |
| Series | National Trust Series |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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