Paper scraps, metal filings, wool shearings… dismantled sets, spoiled rags, animal blood…

How did these ostensibly worthless by-products of art and industry avoid the flames of the kitchen hearth or the sweep of the apprentice’s broom to spark ingenuity, generate new forms, and propel further acts of creation? Wastework moves beyond the well-researched category of spoliation, foregrounding waste as a material expression of the practices of ordering and classification by which people adjudicated between collection and disposal, wanted and unwanted, salvation and loss. Authors follow the afterlives of spent books and soiled textiles, peek behind the curtain of machine theater, and venture into the smith’s foundry and the chemist’s laboratory.

Bringing together research from historians of art, architecture, science, and the environment, this volume examines acts of disposal and reuse and the consequences these carry for the study of early modern material culture. Drawing from the fields of discard studies and Eco materialism, contributors test the usefulness of contemporary formulations—secondary product cycles, material fatigue, metabolic flows, sustainability, recycling—while also proposing new categories with which to re-imagine the discarded past.

First published in 1925, Austrian writer Stefan Zweig’s short story The Invisible Collection still manages to strike the reader with its ability to masterfully sketch the contours of collecting obsession. Deeply fascinated by the innovations that enriched European thought in the 1920s, first and foremost psychoanalysis, which also echoes among these pages, Zweig constructs a story that, despite being deeply anchored in time and space, is still relevant and full of humanity. 

In addition to the engravings by Dürer and Rembrandt mentioned in the story, this second book in the Dédale series is illustrated by the paintings that the French painter Honoré Daumier. It is opened by a preface by Brazilian writer Pedro Corrêa do Lago, who shares with Zweig a collecting passion for letters and autograph manuscripts by well-known authors, which is followed by an introduction by Guillaume Glorieux, who focuses on the relationship between collection and wealth, as well as the importance of collecting and the joy of sharing.

“…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

“What a gem of a book it is, and its size makes it one to carry around as you visit England’s cathedrals.” — Chronicle

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.  

This richly illustrated book follows the journeys of Dutch artist Isaac Israels (1865–1934), whose restless wanderlust took him across Europe and profoundly shaped his artistic vision. The son of painter Jozef Israels, Isaac immersed himself in the cultural life of cities such as Paris, London, and Berlin, and traveled extensively through Italy, Austria, Spain, Denmark, and Sweden. Even during the First World War, he continued to explore the continent, sketching the people and places he encountered. His dynamic paintings reveal a Europe in transition—vibrant, cosmopolitan, and increasingly modern. Through Israels’ eyes, the book reflects on themes of migration, identity, and the visual expression of “Europeanness” at the dawn of the 20th century. Presented by the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of the world’s foremost collections of modern art, it offers an evocative journey through both art and history.

“…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.  

Mathematics is art—created not with colors or forms, but through abstract thought. This is the central idea behind Art of Mathematics by acclaimed author Snezana Lawrence. In this work, she explores the history of mathematics through themes such as the elements, ratio, and dimensionality, highlighting the inherent beauty of the discipline. Along the way, she presents a rich selection of artworks inspired by mathematical ideas. Through this approach, Lawrence reveals what mathematical beauty truly is: the ability to trace a thread through history that weaves together the stories of people and cultures around a single, original abstract concept.

Part of Watchprint’s Story Books series profiling the world’s most renowned watches, Chronomat Story sees investigative journalist Gerard Tubb draw on original research to reveal the full, untold history behind Breitling’s most transformative chronograph. Through newly uncovered archives and first-hand accounts, Tubb traces how the Chronomat – created for Italy’s elite Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team in the 1980s – sparked Breitling’s revival and reshaped the landscape of modern mechanical watchmaking. Richly illustrated and meticulously documented, the book brings to light the people, ideas, and risks that defined an era of reinvention. 

The Classicist is an annual journal dedicated to the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. Focused on the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, the Classicist No. 23 explores the region’s rich architectural history; contemporary examples of classical design through professional and student portfolios; and academic articles authored by leaders within the field.

Over the past twenty-five years, the Austrian artist Margit Hart has created an extremely diverse oeuvre of contemporary jewelry. Mindscapes, the name of her latest group of works, is synonymous with her ever changing jewelry objects. Since 2009 Margit Hart’s work – parallel to her jewelry has extended into abstract photography, resulting in a mutual dialogue between both disciplines. In her Schattenflug [Fleeting Shadows] works, she goes beyond illustrating the purely representational to create imaginary three-dimensional pictorial spaces that immerse us in mysterious worlds of light and shade. This monograph showcases the interplay between both modes of artistic expression in a tangible way.

Text in English and German.

By the early seventeenth century the Tokugawa shogunate had achieved supremacy over the islands of Japan. Meanwhile, the great Ming dynasty of China, which came to power in 1368, was on its last legs. North of the Great Wall, the nomadic Jurchens were beginning to cause the Ming government trouble. Across this stage of international conflict and intrigue wanders a completely unlikely couple, the Jurchen princess Abiya, shipwrecked on the island of Hirado, and the minor samurai Katsura Shosuke, charged by his lord with returning her to her North China homeland. Neither has any inkling that they will soon become caught up in events that will shape the history of East Asia, and will bear witness to the birth of two remarkable and enduring regimes. An epic of colorful characters animating pivotal events taken straight from documented history, The Tatar Whirlwind was penned by Japan’s most popular writer of historical fiction and rendered in a masterful and accurate translation by a noted scholar of East Asian history.

Lightning was created in 1975, during a very controversial period in India’s history, to be the backdrop of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Emergency speech. Given the short time frame that M.F. Husain had to complete the work, it was titled Lightning, because it came about in a flash. The masterpiece was made up of twelve massive panels with ten wild, white horses charging through an open space. The significance of the painting is heightened not only by its sheer size or the brilliant rendering of its subject by the artist but also the time it was executed and the ideologies it stands for. The painting included depictions of family planning, farmers and their families, and a builder with an axe in hand. The work portrayed the political climate of the time in India post-separation. This book was conceived in honor of Husain, and various anecdotal stories and interviews on the painting form a part of this book. The selected authors invited to write on Lightning address the painting as well as its creator from various angles. It is an attempt to create a whole story around this masterpiece; every brush stroke and every inch of the canvas has a story, secretly tucked away in the midst of the powerfully rendered horses, that is left for the beholder to decipher. Published in association with TamarindArt, New York, and Asia Society Museum, New York. Contents: Foreword; Journey of Lightning, its Creator and the Progressive Movement; A Personal Commentary; Biography; The Advent of a Masterpiece; The Roar of Crores; East Meets East in Husain’s Horses; Like Thunder and Lightning; A Narrative of the Nation; Husain’s Journey; Troublesome Entanglements: Art and the Asian Nation; In Conversation with M.F. Husain; The Unveiling of Lightning in New York; M.F. Husain; Selected Exhibitions.

The book has a selection of 186 of the most interesting arms in the Jaipur royal palace and discusses them as weapons in their social and historical context. The book breaks new ground in Indian arms scholarship and is also a very readable account that takes in Rajput, Mughal and British Indian history, anthropology and art history. The objects are stunning: swords belonging to the Mughal Emperors Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb; wonderful court daggers with hilts of carved rock crystal, jade, ivory and gilt steel; ferocious tribal arms; some remarkable historic firearms and beautiful painted shields, some of which were decorated in Japan for the Mughal court. There is even a device for extracting arrows from wounds with toe-curling ancient medical remedies. Most of these arms are from the reserve collections and published for the first time. Contents: Foreword by Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur; Acknowledgements; Cataloguing terms; Introduction; Daggers; Katars; Swords; Children’s Arms; Lances, Spears and Shields; Armour; Axes, Ankus, Chhadi and Maces; Bows and Arrows; Accoutrements; Guns and Pistols; Map; The Rulers of Amber – Jaipur; Endnotes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

The catalogue presents Christ Carrying the Cross, recently rediscovered by Carlo Falciani in a private collection, which was born out of the intense friendship between the painter and art historian Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) with Bindo Altoviti (1491-1557), important banker and refined art collector and patron. The artwork was painted in 1553, just before Vasari’s return to Florence to take service as court painter of the Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. The painting shows the extremely high quality reached by Vasari’s production in Rome – where he was working for Pope Julius III and where the Florentine banker Bindo Altoviti had a palace and conducted business – and, at the same time, it shows the experimentations of his manner, characterized by the re-elaboration of modern and contemporary models, in this case works of Michelangelo, Francesco Salviati and Sebastiano del Piombo.

Published to accompany an exhibition at the Gallerie Nazionali Barberini Corsini, Palazzo Corsini, Rome from 24 January-30 June 2019.

Text in English and Italian.

Awadh has historically been among the most important regions in India, politically, religiously and socially, and holds a vital position with respect to the development of Indian fashion. As such, fashion and history are not mutually distinct, but rather intricately intertwined. This book takes a fascinating journey, connecting dates and events to the evolution of costumes, textiles, colors, motifs and ornamentations from the eighteenth century up to present-day India. It recaptures the ambience of the Nawabi Era and the British Raj in Awadh, and makes them relevant for contemporary times. Costumes & Textiles of Awadh is the culmination of five years of research into an area hitherto untouched by books on costumes. The work is further embellished with rare photographs and exclusive pictures of costumes and textiles. The book makes for an important reference work on the rich textile history of an important region of India, and will appeal to anyone with an interest in the intricacies of fashion with history.

The history of orchids teems with tales of temptation and passion. This stunning book combines the most luscious and tactile photographs with surprising and informative texts about orchids. The first part of the book tells the tale about the discovery of this favored flower through history and describes the way in which orchids are perceived. In the East the emphasis lies mainly on positive characteristics, grace and generosity. In the West, orchids personify procreation and sex. Why are orchids the way they are? Why those amazing, complicated shapes? Why those incredible colors? In Orchid: The Fatal Attraction, Anne Ronse discusses everything orchids have stood for in the course of history.

The impressive Château de Chenonceau is the jewel of the French Loire Valley. The fairytale type castle has had a particularly rich history and has always been inhabited and curated by intelligent, strong-willed women such as Catherine Briçonnet, Diane de Potiers, Catherine de Medici and Louise de Lorraine – hence its nickname ‘Ladies’ Castle’. Through the ages the spaces have been imprinted with the souls of those who built, inhabited and loved the castle. Every part of Chenonceau’s interior and exterior – not in the least the castle’s impressive gardens – exudes peace, harmony and elegance. Since 2015 Jean-Francois Boucher has been appointed floral scenographer of the estate. Together with his small team he creates new floral compositions for the castle’s rooms every week. These ‘staged’ flowers emphasize the history of the estate just like any other piece of art or furniture does. Their designs blend in perfectly with the interiors and are in beautiful harmony with the room’s color codes, perfumes and functions. Sometimes they even wink at poetry, art or the historical events that took place in these spaces. The Bouquets of Chenonceau is a magnificent coffee table book that will please both lovers of history and fans of floral design. Text in English and French.

For a century now the Aston Martin name has been synonymous with performance, style and sophistication. Perhaps more than any other luxury car it possesses a mystique and charisma that have established it as a cultural icon and the pinnacle of automotive ingenuity. Yet the brand’s survival has not always been assured. That Aston Martins are still being produced today is testament to the power of the name and what it represents to car lovers worldwide. In Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul, author David Dowsey explores the colorful history of Aston Martin, from its humble beginnings in a London garage in 1913, to its takeover by the Ford Motor Company in 1987 and sale in 2007. Many of those intimately involved at the various stages of the car’s history offer fascinating insights into the development of the Aston Martin and amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Mike Harbar s delightful renderings add a charming bespoke dimension to the book. With lush full-color photography, comprehensive specifications of every model from the early DB right up to the V8 Vantage Roadster, and production statistics and racing results Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul is an indispensable reference for motor enthusiasts and a book that truly does justice to the Aston Martin name.

Personal and private outdoor space is becoming ever-more elusive as urban areas become more crowded due to population growth and increasing development. Urban Oasis: Tranquil Outdoor Spaces at Home explores projects from London to New York and Sydney to San Francisco that reveal inspirational designs of rooftops, garden spaces, outdoor rooms, terraces and courtyards, and provide refuge from the modern world with private pockets of paradise. These outdoor spaces provide relaxing, sociable, and plant-filled settings for residents to savor peace and calm, and the company of family and friends.

Delhi Then and Now comprises two masterful essays that trace the story of Delhi from the days when it was known by other names Indraprastha, Firozabad, Dinpanah to its reincarnation as New Delhi. Historian Narayani Gupta takes us through the city of Sultans, Mughal emperors and viceroys, while journalist Dilip Bobb shows us the face of New Delhi as it is now. A rich portfolio of archival photographs and illustrations, together with vibrant new pictures, edited by Pramod Kapoor, capture Delhi in all its glory past and present.

Delhi Then – A city of empires and dynasties, Delhi through the ages has evoked nostalgia of its history written on the red sandstone walls. From Quila Rai Pithora to the palace on Raisina Hill, the changing face of Delhi is remarkably discernible in these photographs – a special collection that give words to the spoken and unspoken history of this city. Delhi Now – A city of dreams and desires, Delhi’s urban landscape is incomplete without the stones of seven ancient cities which give it a distinct meaning, a distinct outlook. A modern city on the move, the colors and digital vibrancy of the photographs capturing Delhi in all moods and moments, is as imposing as the grand old structures of yesteryears. A twin city of old-world charm and new extravagance, Delhi has evolved through the ages and is looking forward to an era that will be remembered down the ages.

“Understanding Jewellery is a love letter to glorious pieces from the last hundred years.” —M. J. Rose, The Adventurine“

“An enjoyably scholarly romp through the past and a feast for the eyes for the novice and the consummate jewelry fan and collector.”—Beth Bernstein, Forbes

“A must-have coffee table book for jewellery aficionados…” —Elisa Vallata, Departures International

“As with stocks, education is the way to begin. There are many excellent books on the jewelry market, but start with Understanding Jewellery, the industry bible by two former Sotheby’s jewelry executives, David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti.” —Bloomberg

“Speaking of classic books, one that I recommend to friends who want a readable, educational and beautifully illustrated book about antique and vintage jewelry is Understanding Jewellery, by David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti…” — Instore

Understanding Jewellery, by authors David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, is often described as the must-have jewelry book of our time – a ‘Bible’ in the jewelry trade. First published in 1989, it has remained in print ever since, amassing a loyal following of devotees who admire its detailed information and stunning imagery.
In this new work, Bennett and Mascetti have taken the original concept of Understanding Jewellery a stage further. Now, with the benefit of 20 years of hindsight, they have concentrated on the 20th century alone by conducting a detailed survey of each decade, identifying the key players, trends and movements. The book is an encyclopaedic history of the various forms, techniques and materials employed by the companies and individuals who defined jewelry in the 20th century.
Most significantly, this book includes a new set of photographs, which make Understanding Jewellery: The Twentieth Century one of the most dazzling, absorbing and varied collections of jewelry images ever assembled in a book. This large format hardback volume is a perfect gift for all lovers of jewellery and the definitive guide for those who desire a deeper understanding of the subject. 

It is often said that you can’t take the same walk twice in New York. Its history may be short compared to that of European cities, but it is also a history marked by lightning-fast change. This pictorial journey into the history of New York City starts from the small town that began as New Amsterdam in the 17th century, tracing the unbridled expansion of the 18th century and waves of mass immigration of the 19th and 20th centuries. The authors, both experienced NYC tour guides, explore iconic districts like Times Square, Harlem, Wall Street, Central Park, Ellis Island and the Bronx, bringing the past and people to life through engaging stories and images. An inspired selection of archival photos, prints, vintage maps, stereographs, and ephemera make this publication, with its elegant, silver-edged finish, a fascinating visual homage to the vibrant city that is New York today.

Diamonds tell stories that are captivating and timeless. On the one hand, they are just stones, pieces of pure carbon with optical properties that make them glitter and sparkle like stars.  On the other, they are mystical entities hypnotically drawing the viewer into a time machine as it were, wherein a cinematic montage of their journey unfolds. Diamonds Across Time presents a sweeping overview of diamonds across time and space, featuring ten essays by world-renowned scholars in love the stone. Here, these authors present new discoveries; explore extraordinary collections; investigate histories, science, and trade; the nature of diamonds; legendary gems, jewelry collections, and great designers. Above all, they tell the human stories that underpin the adoration of diamonds.

Diamonds Across Time is a richly illustrated publication with high-quality images of gems and jewels, archival documents, rare drawings, and fabulous photographs. The volume places diamonds in the context of the time in which they were discovered, and on the political, social, and cultural stage on which their histories were etched. In a rapidly changing world, diamonds are eternal. They were created by nature and grew in the womb of the earth. They tell stories, and they record history. With this book, diamonds will finally have their own storytellers.