This book is a treasure for the
collector and connoisseur of antiques, whether they be furniture, coins, cutlery, silverplate,
dinnerware, arms and armour, musical instruments, or many another. It was put out by the ESTATES GAZETTE when the chartered Auctioneers and Estate Agents Institute decided to reorganize their examination syllabus. Even though it is nearly 50 years old, and has a primarily European emphasis (English, in particular), it is invaluable for anyone not yet a full master of all the fields of
antiques and antiquities. The first section is on furniture and covers the generalities of design for each English period from the Tudor and Renaissance to the Victorian, and then that of several famous makers, as well as a similar table for French furniture. It includes a section on various woods used in furniture making and, finally, a glossary of furniture terms. There are sections on Gold, Silver, Sheffield Plate and electroplate, Porcelain and Pottery and Glass, with terminology, maker''s marks and some history. These are followed by a section on English watch and clock makers. There is a section devoted to the fine arts, with a glossary followed by a list of artists with their specialties and their dates. This is followed by a section on Jewellery, one on Fabrics and Carpets, and one on coins, with another on specifically English coins. There follows a chronological list of English sovereigns. After this is a section on Medals, and one on Arms and Armour. There is a section on musical instruments, giving definitions of the various types and kinds. Following this is a section on the terms in Heraldry. There is a list of emblems adn symbols used in CHINESE ART, with pictures of some of the symbols, followed by a list of the Chinese dynasties and periods. There is a classical dictionary, with a supplement, covering Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese areas. This is followed by a section on Monastic orders, Saints and their symbols. There is a section of general terms not defined elsewhere, as well as a list of Roman numerals. There are several lists of the date letters for silver plate, some blank pages for notes, and finally, an index.