Of exquisite workmanship, the Wallace gold boxes share the elaborate richness of the larger-scale French 18th-century art in the collection, but on an intimate and jewel-like scale. Most of the boxes were made in Paris during the 18th century and were used as snuff containers. More
Marquetry – creating patterns and pictures through inlaid veneers – has long been recognised as one of the most attractive and sophisticated methods of decoration fine furniture. Illuminating the marvellous world of beauty conjured up by superlative French craftsmen, including André-Charles Boulle, Jean-François Oeben and Jean-Henri Riesener, this book also reveals the technical secrets of this special art form, its sources and history. More
Since the early Bronze Age the sword has been a sign of wealth, status and the power of divine right. Yet, before the sixteenth century the sword was almost never carried on the person in everyday life. It was a rare, noble weapon, carried into battle by the aristocratic warrior class but set aside in time of peace. However, the increasing prominence of the Renaissance middle classes brought a fundamental change to the sword's place in society. Now large numbers of non-noble but often wealthy and upwardly mobile people could also afford rich things like fine clothes, jewelry and weapons. More