Masterpieces of World Ceramics – Book Review
V&A Publication Sets Out History of Pottery Over 5000 Years
Sep 30, 2009
London's V&A Museum has one of the world's finest ceramics collections, much of which has recently been redisplayed in Phase 1 of the new Ceramics Galleries. The opening of Phase 2, in 2010, will witness the re-homing of a further 25,000 items.
To mark the opening of the new galleries the V&A has published a fully-illustrated book entitled Masterpieces of World Ceramics featuring exquisite items from all parts of the globe.
Masterpieces of World Ceramics – About the Book
Masterpieces of World Ceramics illustrates the very finest items in the V&A's collection including a Chinese ewer from 2,500 BC, Egyptian pots from 1475 BC, Iranian wall tiles from 1270-75 AD, Spanish vases from 1400 AD, Pablo Picasso's vase, Artist at his Easel, stoneware by Bernard Leach and sculptures by Richard Slee. Examples of mass-produced table wares are also included.
The publication opens with a pictorial timeline covering the period from 2,500 BC to the present day. The timeline, which acts as a table of contents, is illustrated with examples of pottery from every era and continent.
The book explores methods, materials and innovations as well as cultural influences such as international trade which led to an exchange of styles and ideas around the world. Each item is accompanied by a description of its use and a detailed examination of its manufacture, design, decoration, and country of origin.
This is a fascinating and highly readable book and the few technical terms used in the text are explained in the Glossary. The book is a treasury of beautiful ceramics and each reader will discover their own favourites.
There is no index but one would be extremely useful.
Masterpieces of World Ceramics – About the Editors
- Reino Liefkes joined the V&A in 1992. As Head of Ceramics and Glass (since 2003) he has taken a leading role in the development of the new galleries. Liefkes is the editor of Glass, V&A Publications, 1997, and contributed to the V&A's exhibitions Art Deco (2003) and At Home in Renaissance Italy 2006). He is also author of A.D. Copier: Glass Designer, Glass Artist, part of the Monographs of Dutch Artists series, published by Waanders Uitgevers, 2006.
- Hilary Young joined the V&A in 1981, and has been active in a number of departments, eventually joining Ceramics and Glass in 1991. Young helped mastermind the redisplay of the British Galleries (2001), the Whiteley Silver Galleries (2002), the Glass Gallery (2004) and the Ceramics Galleries (2009). Young has contributed to a number of publications including English Porcelain, 1745-95 (V&A, 1999), Elegant Eating: Four Hundred Years of Dining in Style (V&A, 2002), and British Ceramic Design, 1600-2000 (V&A, 2003).
Masterpieces of World Ceramics is published in hardback by V&A Publishing. The 144-page book features 135 colour photographs and is priced at £30. ISBN: 9781851775279.
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