This volume is one of several that examines the National Gallery of Art's distinguished collection of decorative arts. (The second volume will be published in 1996.) The group treated here is composed primarily of works acquired from the Widener Collection, and amplified by holdings acquired from the Kress family. Included are more than eighty Medieval, Renaissance, and later historic objects in a wide variety of media, encompassing metalwork, stained glass, enamels, ceramics, and jewels. Among the highlights are a Limoges reliquary chasse, a Mosan lion aquamanile, thirty-eight pieces in a remarkable cohesive group of Italian maiolica, three of the very rare pottery objects known as 'Saint-Porchaire', and, the centerpiece of the collection, the Suger chalice, an ancient sardonyx cup to which the Abbot Suger added a bejewelled golden setting in the twelfth century. Like other volumes in the Systematic Catalogue of the National Gallery of Art Collections,Western Decorative Arts includes a thoroughly researched entry for each object, together with an artist biography, up-to-date bibliography, and a technical analysis.

Add Vibrant Color to Your Jewelry! Enameling is the one of the best ways to add color to your jewelry--and anyone can do it! In Jeweler's Enameling Workshop, master jeweler Pauline Warg shares her easy-to-follow approach to enameling. You'll first learn the basics of kiln firing and torch firing, including equipment, tools, safety, and how to troubleshoot problems. Then, twenty projects for beautiful necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and rings walk you through various dry and wet enameling techniques. You'll learn to: • Stencil simple designs using multiple colors of enamel • Incorporate foil and glass beads and threads into your designs • Layer enamel on stamped metal for added dimension • Use metal screen as a canvas on which to create an enameled pattern • Create intricate designs with the classic techniques of cloisonne and champleve Clear photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions will have you creating stunning designs using exciting techniques in no time.