The Art of the Cabinet

All of us have the desire to organize and store the multitude of items that fill our lives - a desire that is not unique to our century.

King Tutankhamen's 14th century B.C. tomb contained over 30 chests for storing his possessions. Here, the author traces the evolution of cabinets - including such variations as secretaires and caskets - that date from ancient Egypt and the classical world through the 19th century. (Coverage of the 20th century is slight.)

Helpful appendixes include several pages of notes on the color plates; brief biographies of cabinetmakers, architects, craftsmen, and designers of furniture; a glossary of some of the technical terms used; and a chronological guide to styles of cabinetry.

This guide, which includes a time line of pertinent dates and almost 200 small photographs, identifies pieces by country of origin, date, materials used, and dimensions. Recommended for both general collections and specialized art libraries.