This book is primarily an introduction to the vast family of ceramic materials. The first part is devoted to the basics of ceramics and processes: raw materials, powders synthesis, shaping and sintering. It discusses traditional ceramics as well as “technical” ceramics – both oxide and non-oxide – which have multiple developments. The second part focuses on properties and applications, and discusses both structural and functional ceramics, including bioceramics. The fields of abrasion, cutting and tribology illustrate the importance of mechanical properties. It also deals with the questions/answers of a ceramicist regarding electronuclear technology. As chemistry is an essential discipline for ceramicists, the book shows, in particular, what soft chemistry can contribute as a result of sol-gel methods.

An illustrated encyclopedia with 1000 photos of over 700 nineteenth century French sculptors including Rodin, Barye, d'Angers and Carpeaux, with biographies, listings of works (with size and foundry when known), museum pieces in France and elsewhere, and recent sales. Also provides an overview of 19th century bronze sculpture, the foundries that cast the bronzes, and methods used to cast works.

This catalogue features daggers in numerous examples dating from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century and provides a history of not only the daggers in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, but also the broader history of daggers in general. The illuminating text traces the dagger's development and mode of use throughout the time period while also differentiating it from concurrent development of swords. Included in the text are helpful line illustrations that better show the form and decoration of the daggers, accompanied by a plate section, which allows for easy comparison of the works.