Decorating with China and Glass    by Caroline Clifton-Mogg Order:  USA  Can Bulfinch, 2005 (2005) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke 'They catch my eye and stop me in my tracks.' So says interior designer/decorator Caroline Clifton-Mogg, whether seeking treasures at London's Portobello antique market or in modern malls and outlets, specialty and department stores, even from mail-order purveyors. The hunter of china and/or glass can be attracted by design, shape, transfer prints, hand-painted pieces, glazed or gilded decoration. Decorating with China and Glass is organized into three major sections. In the first, the author appraises a range of china and glass, vis-a-vis shapes, colors and patterns. The second section looks at diversity of usage in table settings and around-the-house displays. The third section features 'how to best display and maximize shelf-life' and the proper care to conserve collections, storing artistically and functionally. Clifton-Mogg gives us a historical perspective on china and glass from Medieval times. We learn how a trencher (slab of bread) was used to hold edibles, to be later replaced by a wooden or pewter underplate, and then by earthenware. 18th century European courts led the way with silverware and gilded porcelain. Over 2,000 years ago, the Chinese transformed the 'art of ceramics' with delicate glazes and colors, that set standards judged today. Masters of glass-cutting hailed from England and Ireland, creating variety in etched and cut-glass, molded and handblown glass. American 'Depression glass' was introduced between 1929 and 1939. We learn about houses that gained repute over the centuries, such as Royal Crown Derby, Josiah Wedgwood, Delftware, and Bennington Pottery (of Vermont). Other fascinating information includes the tradition of majolica, which incorporated bold designs - e.g. of flowers, gods, or Bible stories - on Renaissance earthenware in Italy and Spain. Simon Upton's color photography presents dramatic, eye-popping layouts, superbly defined with use of subtle to intense colors and lighting. These photos grace Caroline Clifton-Mogg's presentation of history, design, classifications, and styles of china and glass for (both formal and informal) room, wall, and dinner décor. Author and photographer have created an elegant symbiosis of art and prose. I recommend Decorating with China and Glass to anyone seeking inspiration for daily use of the treasures one finds in china and glass. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews