Makers, Periods & Styles Library

Amboyna is a type of burl wood from any of the Pterocarpus species of trees. Found in Indonesia, with the best examples coming from the Andaman Islands, it is one of the most sought-after and expensive of all burl woods. It is usually sold as veneer with colours ranging from dark red to lighter yellowish-brown....

Has appeared extensively as a subject in early, medieval and later art, due to his role in Christianity as the messenger angel used by God to deliver several important messages. His most famous message was to tell the virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear a son – Jesus. He also foretold the birth...

Angelica Kauffman (aka Kauffmann), RA (1741 – 1807) Was a Swiss-born Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in both London and Rome and in 1768, was one of the two female founder members of the Royal Academy in London. A child prodigy and speaking Italian, German, French and English, she first was feted...

An Armoire is a type of freestanding, tall cabinet with doors to hide drawers and shelves. There is also a rail for hanging clothes. Originating with chests designed to store armour and weapons, it developed into its present form in 17th Century France as a piece of furniture to store personal belonging and...

Is a visual arts style that became popular in the 1920, 30s and 40s before waning after the Second World War. Its name is short for ‘Arts Decoratifs’ taken from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) held in...

Is a title given to a style of art that developed as a reaction to academic art in 19th century Europe. Academic art sought to combine elements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. In response Art Nouveau focused on natural structures and forms and sought to harmonise with the natural environment. As well as featuring...

Arthur Brett are a furniture making firm with workshops in Norwich specialising in fine reproduction furniture. The firm traces its roots back to John Brett who was born in 1815 in Norfolk. His son, Jonathan T. Brett founded the company in 1870 with his six sons which made and sold furniture. One of the sons,...

The Arts and Crafts movement was a highly influential design movement which emerged during the 1860s exerting real influence from the 1880s through to the 1930s. The leading light was William Morris (1834-1896) who put into practice principles discussed by John Ruskin (1819-1900) and Augustus Pugin (1812-1852) in...