National Network for Equitable Library Service

This authoritative and definitive work contains the first formal history of antique trays every published. Each of its six chapters is written by a different authority.

Behind the glossy facade of modern Japan there survive remnants-some of them surprisingly well preserved-of the country's feudal past, of warlords and fighting samurai, of shoguns and sequestered emperors, of princes and peasants.

Learn the sensual secretes of Eastern beauty practices with this informative and readable guide. The beauty rituals of the East have long been legendary-the use of oils and unguents, lotions of rose leaves and vinegar, the juice of ripe strawberries and plums, milk baths, honey, and myrrh. The very names evoke an aura of romance, a world where woman pamper and prepare their bodies. Such is the world of Indian beauty as introduced in this exquisite volume of beauty recipes handed down verbally through the ages.

This beautiful book contains fascinating text and over 170 unique photographs of one of the most interesting but least well known cultures in the Indonesian Archipelago. The traditional art of Maluku Tenggara, the Southeast Moluccas, is among the most sophisticated and expressive in the world. Simple tools were used to create masterpieces in wood, stone, textiles and precious metals, while the plaited work and earthenware of these islands are also of the very highest quality. the colonial period plunged the region into hopeless isolation.

Presented in an easy-to-understand way that is perfect for children, Chinese Brush Painting teaches the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. For more than a thousand years, a traditional Chinese style of art-brush painting-has been used to make pictures that are more than just pictures. These are images that harness your imagination, and capture on paper the true spirit of an animalor a landscapeor a tree. All you need is black paint, white paper, and your best mental focus!

Photography in Japan 1853-1912 is a fascinating visual record of Japanese culture during its metamorphosis from a feudal society to a modern, industrial nation at a time when the art of photography was still in its infancy. The 350 rare and antique photos in this book, most of them published here for the first time, chronicle the introduction of photography in Japan and early Japanese photography. The images are more than just a history of photography in Japan, they are vital in helping to understand the dramatic changes that occurred in Japan during the mid-nineteenth century.

Textiles provide a visual history of a country's culture and crafting traditions in a way few other things can accomplish. In Textiles of Southeast Asia, Dr. Robyn Maxwell provides the definitive work on Southeast Asian textiles. Traditional textiles are one of the most widely collected and important categories of Southeast Asian art. Using an extensive range of locally produced raw materials and an astonishing array of techniques-including applique, weaving, batik and embroidery-the textiles of Southeast Asia are astonishing in their versatility and originality.

Washi papercrafting is similar to Japanese origami, but uses higher-quality paper for more permanent-lasting projects. Lear how to fold washi with this fun guide. In Japan, paper and paper crafts are held in popular esteem. The originators of origami, the art of paper-folding, and kirigami, the art of paper-cutting, the Japanese also make their own paper, called washi. A colorful printed paper, washi is used to decorate everything from boxes to dolls. Noted for its strength, durability and flexibility, washi paper is available in a rich array of colors, textures, weights and patterns.

Chinese interior design is a kaleidoscope of competing influences: scholarly gardens versus opium dens, imperial palaces battling concrete-and-steel high-rises, rural simplicity fighting urban chaos China Style gives an insiders' look at the interiors that draw from this vivid and powerful tradition, a tradition that is constantly being reinterpreted to produce a fresh and dynamic style of contemporary design.

Featuring over 200 stunning photographs, this Chinese design book captures the modern, yet nostalgic style of the Chinese home. Twenty-first century China is a country on the move. As it hurtles into the future, a new revolution- that of a fast growing creative movement - is taking place.