Cabinets Of Wonder

Description

Skulls, butterflies, hunting trophies, ancient Egyptian artifacts, the alleged skeletons of mythological creatures and many other mysterious oddities fill the shelves of cabinets of curiosities. A centuries old tradition that developed in Europe during the Renaissance, the curiosity cabinet is again in fashion. Shops, restaurants and private residences echo these cabinets in their interior design, either by making use of the eclectic vintage objects commonly featured in such collections or by including the fully stocked cabinets themselves. For many, it seems, the smooth surfaces of modern design have lost their allure. An article in the New York Times, titled "the New Antiquarians," describes a current trend in interior design that embraces a "new vintage" look. This style makes use of an eclectic combination of objects: taxidermy, mounted antlers, ancestral portraits, old leather books and cabinets filled with collections. You've seen this style of decor invade restaurants, bars and hotels. It's featured in magazines like GQ and blogs like the "A Continuous Lean." Aligned with this popular trend, Cabinets of Curiosities showcases exceptional collections in homes and museums, with more than 180 photographs, while also explaining the history behind the tradition, the best known cabinets and the types of objects typically displayed. Offering both a historical overview and a look into contemporary interior design, this extravagantly illustrated book celebrates the wonderfully off world of cabinets of curiosities.

Promotion info

A richly illustrated account of cabinets of curiosities from the Renaissance until today.; Speaks to a current trend in interior design; Many shops, restaurants, bars and homes have embraced a "new vintage" look that employs both elements unusually showcased in the cabinets and the cabinets themselves. So in addition to history buffs and collectors this book will appeal to a design audience.; The book contains a large number of beautiful photographs, giving a more current and appealing look into the subject, in comparison to other drier academic books on the market.; The objects displayed in the cabinets range from the rare to the truly bizarre making for an entertaining read.

Author description

Christine Davenne is a lecturer in fine arts at the IUFM d'Aquitaine and is the author of the book Modernite du cabinet de curiosites. Christine Fleurent photographs regularly for women's magazines, advertising and has contributed to numerous books, including La Cuisine des parfums and La Maison de chocolat.