U Thong, 100 or so km north of Bangkok, has been an important site for over 2,000 years, as witnessed by the discovery of a 3rd century Roman coin. The moated city was connected to the Chin river, thereby gaining access to international trade routes.
The inhabitants of the early centers of Classic Southeast Asian civilization were already wealthy enough to own large quantities of ornate jewelry such as imported beads from India and carved stone from Taiwan. They had so much gold that central and western mainland Southeast Asia including the U Thong area was known in Sanskrit as Suvarnabhumi, the Golden Land.
This publication brings a new perspective to the study of ancient gold from U Thong. The author is a trained research metallurgy scientist, and these skills have been brought to bear on the highly significant corpus of early gold artifacts found in and around the moated city, the largest accumulation of such artifacts from any of the ancient muang of Thailand.
The goldsmiths were as highly skilled as those anywhere else in the world, but almost all previous studies have been written by people who can only study the outer appearance to draw conclusions regarding its age and place of origin.
This beautifully presented monograph features the outstanding architectural and planning design work of Washington D.C.–based David M. Schwarz Architects, a firm with a significant focus on how buildings relate and contribute to their surroundings. Featuring 40 projects across the United States, the range of work in this book is extensive and includes cultural, sports and entertainment, office and residential, mixed-use, retail, hospitality, civic, healthcare, and education projects.
Each project is richly photographed in lavish full color, with text commentary by Craig P. Williams, who has been associated with David M. Schwarz Architects for nearly forty-five years. All essays in this volume are based either on Craig P. Williams’s firsthand recollections or direct conversations with his colleagues who worked on those projects.
“Every kid’s dream is captured in the pages of this ACC Art Book depicting more than 60 years of space exploration, from the foundation of NASA in 1958 to the launch of the James Webb telescope in 2021.” — Calibre Magazine
“On almost 300 pages we can marvel at what are probably the greatest milestones in NASA history. This book really shows and honors this work! A great book about space exploration!” — Lovely Books
“The history of space exploration is best presented in this book of NASA photographs, whose images are universally inspirational.” – Commander James Lovell, Apollo 13
NASA has worked at the forefront of space exploration and research since 1958. Their devotion to furthering our understanding of what lies beyond our atmosphere has seen 12 humans walk on the surface of the moon, helped form the International Space Station, and placed numerous rovers on Mars. Voyager 1, launched by NASA on 5 September 1977, is the furthest manmade object from earth, having left our solar system entirely – and the agency’s plans for the future are equally inspiring.
This book celebrates NASA throughout the years, from its inception to its 60th anniversary in 2018, and beyond. A visual tour-de-force, the book collects high resolution NASA photos of historic significance; from rarely seen photos and the words of President John F. Kennedy commanding the space race, to the many triumphs and tragedies of the Apollo Missions, moon landings, the International Space Station, space shuttles, journeys to Mars and explorations of our galaxy’s outer reaches. These breathtaking images are complemented by heartfelt words of hope and imagination for the future, encouraging readers to admire their world from a different perspective. Out of This World: Historic Milestones in NASA’s Human Space Flight is a stunning 300 page book.
“… a wonderfully kinetic, joyful, and gorgeous tribute to Kirk’s work for just about every edition of Vogue” — Vogue.com
Neil Kirk in Vogue: The Supermodel Years is a unique retrospective of 1980s and ’90s fashion, as captured by one of the most exceptional photographers of the era.
A prominent and prolific fashion photographer for over four decades, Neil Kirk’s sensational body of work has left a lasting impression on designers, editors and catwalk models across the fashion industry. A frequent contributor to Vogue US, British, Italia and Deutsch throughout the ’80s and ’90s, his photographs helped propel some of the biggest fashion names into the public sphere during an era when supermodels were becoming A-list celebrities and fashion designers were pioneering an innovative take on modern luxury.
With a foreword by Bryan Ferry and contributions from Helena Christensen, Claudia Schiffer, Manolo Blahnik, Sam McKnight, Stephen Jones, Yasmin Le Bon, Christian Lacroix and Jasper Conran among others, this is every fashion lover’s dream in one beautifully illustrated, must-have volume.
Featuring Salma Hayek, Carla Bruni, Cindy Crawford, Yasmeen Ghauri, Valentino Garavani, Vivienne Westwood, Malcom McLaren, Ewan McGregor, Kate Winslet, Jerry Hall, Linda Evangelista, Rachel Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Wright and many, many more.
In this new book, Frank Ames concludes a trilogy of works, in which his sharp and revealing studies of the origins of the Sikh Kashmir shawl patterns under Maharaja Ranjit Singh not only remind us of their uniqueness and originality, but also, through their striking visuals, transport us through previously unknown ethereal and mystical dimensions of time and space.
From the tumultuous history of Punjab, the Sikhs rose to great power, commanding enough influence to draw the attention of the mighty British Raj. Ames guides us through the political, cultural, religious, and artistic events of the Punjab that gave rise to these transformative Sikh designs.
Pashmina Jewels emerges from the shared dedication of collector, Dr. Parvinderjit Singh Khanuja, and the author, both driven by a single purpose: to bring to light an art form long neglected by Indian historians.
The art of Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), mysterious and spiritual as it was, depended on an intense engagement with nature. On the long hikes that he took through his native north Germany, and further south in the Bohemian mountains, he drew landscapes, buildings, people and, most intently of all perhaps, trees. Half of Friedrich’s surviving drawings come from the sketchbooks that he compiled on his journeys and referred to during the whole of his career. A handful of these sketchbooks survive intact. The one known as The Oslo Sketchbook of 1807 was used for just two months, from April to June of that year. Its 23 pages of drawings record, with almost hallucinatory simplicity and clarity, trees that Friedrich would use in his paintings for years to come.
The Nordic people are often said to be hard-working, dutiful, open to innovation and equality, and trend-sensitive, with a ‘less is more’ attitude when it comes to clothes, furniture and interior design. Nordic histories and cultures have been intertwined for centuries, but what created their distinctive character? Was it the experience of Northern Europe’s four seasons, with cold, harsh dark winters, unreliable springs, bright summers when the sun never sets and beautiful autumns?
In this book we meet 32 individuals, neither kings nor queens, but real people whose life stories give insights into historical events and everyday life in the Nordic countries over 500 years. Nordic Stories reveals much about the lives, beliefs and customs of Nordic people from the 16th century to the present day. It is based on diaries, letters and other personal testimony, illustrated with objects from Nordiska museet’s astonishing collection.
Showcasing an extensive range of photographs from India’s princely states, The Unforgettable Maharajas opens a window into the private lives of the maharajas. Featuring the jewelry, interiors, portraiture and many more aspects of the lives of these majestic families, this luxurious book is a documentation in photographs, of the maharajas of India: undoubtedly one of the greatest anachronisms of the 20th century. Among them were enlightened rulers and profligate princes, saints and scoundrels, heroes and cowards, sadists and boors, charmers and eccentrics. In the eyes of their people, however, they had the divine right to rule and they left the stamp of an unmistakable aura of majesty.
A comprehensive collection of historical photographs from princely India, this is also the largest selection of royal pictures in any one book.
In the middle of Tivoli Gardens, beneath a canopy of lanterns and reflections from the lake, stands one of Copenhagen’s most iconic buildings — The Japanese Pagoda. Once a symbol of amusement and light, it has in recent years become a beacon of culinary excellence. Over the past five years, twenty-five Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs from all over the world have brought their artistry to The Pagoda — each for a shorter period, each re-imagining the space through their own vision of fine dining.
The Pagoda tells this story through text, photography, recipes, and behind-the-scenes insights, capturing how chefs transform architecture and atmosphere into edible experience. Alongside menu creation, craftsmanship, and the history of Tivoli’s gastronomy, the book unfolds a dialogue between past and present — between playful nostalgia and modern precision. A tribute to creativity, collaboration, and culinary ambition, The Pagoda celebrates the meeting of taste and tradition in the most magical corner of Copenhagen.
Helen Williams Drutt English is an American gallerist, collector, mediator, and promoter of contemporary art jewelry. In homage to this grand dame of international studio jewelry and her 60 years of collecting, the publication presents selected works by American and German artists in a combination never before seen. Representing the diversity of American art jewelry are 140 examples from the last 70 years, from modernist minimalist or narrative works to objects with a strong sociopolitical message. The display of almost 100 works by German jewelry artists impressively documents the various developments in contemporary jewelry in both countries, as well as mutual influences and commonalities. The works testify to Helen Williams Drutt English’s great devotion to and engagement with art jewelry. Moreover, they represent her friendship with artists from both the USA and Germany and, not least, the close cultural and artistic connection between these two countries.
Text in English and German.
The America’s Cup has been the world’s most prestigious yacht race for over 170 years. This beautifully illustrated and fully updated new edition tells the story of the cup from its inception through to the most recent race, held in 2024.
Named in 1851 in honor of the first winner (New York pilot, ‘America’), the Cup was dominated by American yachts for well over a century. At last, in 1983, Australia II wrestled the trophy away from the USA, albeit briefly. At Barcelona in 2024, the Cup produced one of the best contests yet, with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron winning the race for a fifth time, and a British yacht, Britannia, competing in the finals for the first time in 60 years.
With a painting of each race since 1851, by marine artist Tim Thompson, and detailed descriptions of the boats involved, The Story of the America’s Cup 1851-2024 is an elegant, insightful celebration of a storied contest.
This impressive book offers a comprehensive overview of designer and sculptor Eric Schmitt’s work, focusing on the years 2015–2025 while tracing the notable shifts of his practice since the 1980s. Working primarily with noble materials such as patinated bronze, alabaster, marble, natural stone, and glass, Schmitt blends traditional French craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic to create functional works of art that balance geometry, fluidity, and subtle strength. Written in English and French, the book opens with an introduction by Patrick Mauriès, who charts the development of Schmitt’s artistic influences—from his early fascination with the Creative Salvage movement in the 1980s to his enduring commitment to hands-on fabrication. Organized thematically, the book’s central section explores Schmitt’s creations through chapters such as Cornerstones, Metal & Company, Levitation, and Material Illusions, with opening ommentaries by Axelle Corty.
Through stunning photography by Adrien Dirand, readers are invited onto the grounds of Le Chapitre, while Alexandra Babeanu’s text shares the story behind the restored 12th-century farm that serves as Schmitt’s home, studio, and collaborative workshop.
The volume concludes with an extensive catalogue raisonné of more than 700 pieces, establishing the book as both a visual archive and an essential reference for collectors, curators, and design professionals. Eric Schmitt portrays the distinguished designer’s multi-faceted practice, one that continues to blur the boundaries between design,
sculpture, and architecture.
Eric Schmitt (born in 1955) is a renowned French designer and sculptor internationally recognized for his sculptural, timeless furniture and objects. Self-taught, he began his career creating expressive wrought-iron pieces before evolving toward refined, minimal-ist forms inspired by nature, architecture, and his upbringing in Poitou, France.
Text in English and French
“…packed with superb colour photographs… This book is a wonderful companion to cathedral-crawling, not least in helping the crawlers work out what is, and what isn’t, worth seeing” – Simon Heffer, Telegraph“
A beautifully illustrated guide” — Premier Christianity
“[The] thrilling tale of the medium’s continuity… is set forth by Janet Gough, the erstwhile director of Cathedrals and Church buildings at the C of E, in her latest book, Divine Light” — World of Interiors
“I would recommend that you visit some of these cathedrals, book in hand.” — The Methodist Recorder
The stained-glass windows of England’s cathedrals illuminate interior spaces, communicate religious and other messages, and – perhaps – offer us a glimpse of heaven. This book tells the remarkable story of these much-loved works of art.
Divine Light features glass from every Church of England cathedral. It spans 900 years, beginning with the windows installed at Canterbury Cathedral following the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 and representing every subsequent century in the history of English stained glass. Divine Light encompasses the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the hugely productive ‘long 19th century’, the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts and Crafts movement, the creative commissions of the 20th century, and the innovative glass being commissioned by cathedrals today.
The book establishes the connections between the artistic beauty of stained glass, its effectiveness as a narrative medium, and the various technical developments that have shaped the work of practitioners over the centuries. The refraction of light through colored glass emerges as an early form of mass communications that retains its power to move and inspire today.
The Francis Bacon Collection is the result of an extraordinarily lengthy discovery and authentication process of previously unpublished works by Francis Bacon. This stunning volume includes the nearly 700 drawings, pastels, and collages in possession of Italian journalist Cristiano Lovatelli Ravarino. All the works have been photographed in ultra-high gigapixel, captured exclusively for the book. Commentaries and essays especially written for this edition are by noted art historians Edward Lucie-Smith and Fernando Casto Florez, together with an authentication report by Ambra Draghetti, the graphological consultant to the Court of Bologna for the authentication process. This elegantly produced edition presents new scholarship by Professor Umberto Guarini, who defended the legal authentication of the works at the Court of Bologna; Dino Cura, the President of The Francis Bacon Collection; and by Professor Maurizio Saracini, who pioneered the use of multi-spectrum diagnostic imaging and applied his technique to the drawings providing fascinating new details for the first time.
Text in English and Italian.
“The way we eat Indian food in this country changed forever the day The Cinnamon Club opened its doors, and we should all be, as I am, eternally grateful.” Giles Coren The Times
“The Cinnamon Club has always been more than a restaurant … Vivek Singh has established its place in the hospitality pantheon over a remarkable quarter of a century.” James Stagg The Caterer
Marking twenty five years of culinary brilliance, Spirit & Spice celebrates the extraordinary journey of chef Vivek Singh and his acclaimed restaurants. From the grandeur of The Cinnamon Club within the historic Old Westminster Library, to Cinnamon Kitchen, where the spices of the subcontinent meet the finest British ingredients, through to Cinnamon Bazaar, inspired by the bustling markets of the Old World, Vivek Singh’s fusion of Indian flavors with Western techniques has come to define modern Indian dining in London.
Photography by Jean Cazals accompanies signature recipes from the restaurants’ most popular dishes – many appearing in print for the very first time – interwoven with stories from the kitchen and reflections on 25 years in an ever-changing restaurant landscape. Spirit & Spice is a landmark celebration of one of Britain’s most influential restaurateurs, and the people, places, and plates that have shaped a gastronomic legacy.
Step into the world of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire – later worshiped by the Romans as Venus. Today she is thought of as a symbol of passion and beauty, but her story is far older and more complex. This catalogue explores Aphrodite’s beginnings on the island of Cyprus, where she was worshiped as an all-powerful goddess over 3,000 years ago, and traces her journey through the Greek and into the Roman world, where she became Venus.
This book reveals how, over the centuries, Aphrodite evolved into an iconic figure symbolizing love and beauty as her myths and images flourished – inspiring art, literature, and imagination from the Renaissance to the present day. Illustrated with more than 200 extraordinary objects – from sculpture and bronzes to gems and terracottas from Cyprus, Greece, and Italy, dating back from around 1400 BCE to the 21st century – this catalogue uncovers the making of a goddess whose legacy still shapes our ideas of love and beauty today.
After studying art for many years under highly respected teachers, Asta Nørregaard (1853–1933) became an established artist. She exhibited at the Paris Salon and carried out numerous portrait commissions for prominent figures from the upper class of Norwegian society, and from the fields of science and culture. She also ran her own painting school and established endowments for female artists and musicians. Even though Nørregaard is primarily known for her portraits, she also painted landscapes, interiors, and religious scenes. For many years, Nørregaard was overshadowed by more famous contemporaries, but recently she has gained recognition as a substantial force in Norwegian art history.
This book brings together the breadth of Nørregaard’s artistic practice. It presents portraits of leading cultural and scientific figures of her time, studies of dress and fashion, and a museum-based detective story in which the question of who is portrayed takes center stage. Taken together, the texts offer an understanding of Nørregaard, not only as a portrait painter, but as an active participant in the art world and as an artist who challenged the boundaries of what women could be in her time
For centuries, we have studied the works of Cicero, Lucretius and Horace. We draw inspiration from the knightly tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Our knowledge of the world builds on the writings of classical and medieval poets, philosophers, theologians and jurists. But without the diligent monks and copyists of the Middle Ages, these texts would not have been preserved. Today’s world is unthinkable without this transmission of written knowledge.
Written Treasures introduces you to the fascinating world of medieval manuscripts. From the treasury of the Leiden University Library, 50 extraordinary manuscripts are selected: beautiful showpieces but also quickly notated works on second-rate parchment. Thirty-Eight experts highlight their content, appearance, design and their journey through generations of users and possessors to our times. With beautiful illustrations and accessible texts, this book is indispensable for history and book lovers. It is a celebration of cultural heritage and a tribute to the exceptional transmission of written knowledge through the ages.
The virus, the war, the climate, inflation, poverty and loneliness make people feel insecure. In these troubled times, there is more interest than ever for what is truly important in life: happiness, hope and love. What does science teach us today? Are we still allowed to strive towards happiness? And how do we do that? Leo Bormans asked the same question over and over again to a hundred professors all over the world: established names and young up-and-comers. Every scientist briefly summarizes their recent research after which they formulate their insights in one single sentence: the essence. To this they link at least three concrete pieces of advice: for our own lives, for our friends and for society. With contributions from the most prominent experts in positive psychology, such as: Prof. Martin Seligman (University of Pennsylvania), author of more than 20 international bestsellers and the founding father of positive psychology; Richard Easterlin (University of Southern California), one of the most respected and renowned authorities in happiness research, and Prof. Sir Richard Layard (The London School of Economics), one of the most influential voices in the global study of happiness and well-being.
Based in New Canaan, Connecticut, David Prutting, Prutting + Co, has built some of the finest contemporary houses in the area. This stunning publication features many of these spectacular residences, as founder David Prutting takes readers behind the scenes to offer a unique builder’s perspective.
Working in an area that was once a hot bed of modernism—where influential modernist architects Marcel Breuer, Phillip Johnson, and Eliot Noyes designed pioneering houses—Prutting has built many award-winning homes that have been inspired and influenced by this architectural heritage. These contemporary residences—designed by Steven Holl Architects, Toshiko Mori Architects, Joeb Moore & Partners, Olson Kundig, KieranTimberlake, plus others—showcase why Prutting + Co. has a well-earned reputation for building custom homes.
It takes a courageous client, a visionary architect, and an exacting builder to bring these homes to life. But it’s the builder who bridges the gap between an architect’s drawings and a client’s reality. In A Builder’s Life Done Well, Prutting offers a down-to-earth look at how his firm navigates difficult sites and complex builds. Recounting his 50-year career, he imparts words of wisdom and advice for clients, architects, and contractors, sharing his experience of building homes and running a successful business.