New Books
13204 IL MOSAICO... dalla copia all’interprtazione... £27.00
Evalina della Vedova, Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli, Italy, 2008, Italian text, 144pp, illustrated throughout in colour, illustrated folded card covers
A new book from the Spilimbergo Mosaic School is always an occasion, but in this case, doubly welcome as it is the School’s own technical manual - published generally for the very first time! This book contains virtually everything there is to know about mosaic including many techniques and materials not previously covered in any detail. Although the text is in Italian, the illustrations speak for themselves and with the aid of a simple Italian dictionary everyone should be able to benefit from this fascinating book. Recommended!
22027 VENETIAN GLASS MOSAICS, 1860-1917 £39.50
Sheldon Barr, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2008, 143pp, illustrated throughout in colour + some historic monochrome photographs, cloth, dustwrapper
This is the fascinating history of how the Salviati family revived the fortunes of the Venetian glass mosaic industry in the mid to late 19th century. Employing the finest mosaic makers and skilled fixers, Salviati were responsible for many incredible mosaics in Italy and around the world, becoming second to none for their workmanship. Superbly illustrated with full colour images of their work and original monochrome photographs, this will become the definitive history of the firm.
06043 THE FOUR ELEMENTS, CD-ROM £5.00 IncVAT
Edited by Robert Field, 49 images in pdf format, compatible with PC or Mac
The ‘catalogue’ of the recent exhibition of the work of 22 mosaic artists, held at the Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum, Salisbury, 5 April - 7 June 2008. Works illustrative of the Four Elements by Emma Biggs, Ilona Bryan, Margaret Carney, Martin Cheek, Gary Drostle, Bob Field, Mary Firman, Elaine M Goodwin, Julie Hand, Alison Hepburn, Tessa Hunkin, Carolyn King, Barbara Laws, Dugald MacInnes, Glen Morgan, Rebecca Newnham, John O’Brien, Allan Punton, Kate Rattray, Anne Read, Takako Shimizu and Norma Vondee.
09034 ISLAMIC GEOMETRIC PATTERNS £14.95
Eric Broug, Thames & Hudson, 2008, 120pp, over 290 drawings, + CD-ROM, stiff covers
A study on geometric Islamic design with clear instructions on how to construct many different geometric patterns based on simple shapes. An inspiration for mosaicists and tile makers alike.
06044 FROM ATOMS TO PATTERNS £20.00
Lesley Jackson, Richard Dennis Publications, 2008, 124pp, illustrated throughout in colour and some b & w, A4 paperback
Subtitled ‘Crystal structure designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain’, this important design history book examines the story of the Festival Pattern Group. Conceived by Dr Helen Megaw, a leading Cambridge crystallographer, and spearheaded by the Council of Industrial Design, the Group used diagrams of atomic structures for patterns on everyday products. The result was a weird and wonderful collection of furnishings (including tiles) and accessories decorated with scientifically accurate crystal structure designs. A fascinating look at 1950s industrial design!
18044 ROMAN MOSAICS £15.95
Joseph Wilpert, Dover Publications, USA, 2007, 64pp, 60 colour illustrations, paperback
A reprint of the 60 colour plates from Joseph Wilpert’s 1916 book: Die Römischen Mosaiken und Malereien der Kirchlichen Bauten. No significant text.
07046 GARDEN MOSAICS £15.99
Cliff Kennedy & Jane Pompillo, North Light Books, USA, 2006, 128pp, illustrated throughout in colour, paperback
“25 creative projects for home and Garden”. Another interesting American mosaic ‘how to’ book with some unusual projects but rather twee!
13199 MOSAICS PIECE BY PIECE £12.99
Bruno Rodi, Catherine Massey & Lea Ciambelli, David & Charles, 2007, 132pp, illustrated throughout in colour
A good, sound, basic mosaic instructional with a better selection of projects and well written, clear methods.
13200 MIXED MEDIA MOSAICS £15.99
Laurie Mika, North Light Books, USA, 2007, 128pp, illustrated throughout in colour, paperback
This is an introduction to the use of polymer clay, beads and other embellishments in mosaics. Full and clear instructions together with excellent illustrations.
13201 MOSAIC MAGIC £12.99
Angie Weston, David & Charles, 2008, 128pp, illustrated throughout in colour, paperback
A nice selection of interesting projects make this excellent value for anyone looking for basic mosaic information.
05031 EMBLEMATA VERMICULATA, Helenistische und spätrepublikanische Bild- mosaiken £65.00
Maria-Kalliope Zapheiropoulou, Schoningh, 2006, German text, 335pp, 46 b & w illustrations, paperback
A literary, philosophical and iconological survey of a selection of late Grecian style mosaics from Egypt, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Turkey, Africa, Malta and Spain.
PH32 PICTURE HOUSE Vol 32 £5.00
Various authors, The Cinema Theatre Association, 2007, 64pp, illustrated in colour and black & white, A4 magazine
This latest issue of the Cinema Theatre Association Journal has a superb article by David Eve on Shaws of Darwen and their involvement with Cinema and Theatre architecture. The article is a fascinating insight into the production and design of terracotta in the early to mid 20th century and has excellent illustrations. Several of the other articles feature terracotta/faïence buildings too!
12021 LINO MELANO, 1924-1984, IL MOSAICO RETROVATO £15.00
Edited by Felice Nittolo, niArt Gallery, Italy, 2008, Italian text, 48pp, illustrated throughout in colour + some historic b & w images, paperback
Lino Melano was one of the great mosaicists of the Modernist era and was associated with Marc Chagall, but one of his finest works had been in store for many years and has only recently come to light. This book is the catalogue of an exhibition of Melano’s paintings and a celebration of the restoration of his ‘lost’ mosaic - a major work in 9 ‘panels’ or sections.
Chris Blanchett
Proprietor
Buckland Books, Holly Tree House, 18 Woodlands Road, LITTLEHAMPTON, West
Sussex, BN17 5PP, England
Specialists in books about Tiles, Mosaics, Brick, Terracotta and Stone/Marble
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1903 717 648
Email: info@bucklandbooks.co.uk
Website: www.bucklandbooks.co.uk