#decorative arts

[uwmspeccoll]

Decorative Sunday

We've made several posts about paste papers, but never one that explains the complete process and technique. This small accordion book (4"x4"; 10x10 cm), Making Paste Papers by noted American paper artist Diane Maurer (b, 1944), made at her home studio in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania with original paste-paper samples in 1992 signed by the artist, does just that. It offers simple, step-by-step instructions on how to make paste papers from mixing the paste to finishing the paper.

Maurer is noted for a variety of paper arts, but she writes, "Although I am known for my books and decorative papers, my focus for many years has been on creating paper collage. I begin my collages by marbling, paste painting, and dyeing paper to create the colors and textures that are essential to my artwork. Then I tear, cut and combine multiple layers of patterned papers with handmade papers to represent surrealistic landscapes and fanciful seascapes. Most have considerable dimension, approaching paper sculpture."

Recently, Maurer was invited to become part of the MET's Paper Legacy Project for which she handcrafted 40 papers, including traditional marbling, Japanese Suminagashi marbling, and paste papers.

Our copy of this book is another donation from the estate of our late friend Dennis Bayuzick.

View more of our posts on paste papers.

View more posts on decorative papers.

View more Decorative Sunday posts.

[acrosscenturiesandgenerations]

▪︎ Cameo: Venus and Love, Lid of a Cup.

Date: 1600-1700

Artist: Giovanni Ambrogio Miseroni

[periodinteriors]

A drawing room interior in the French manner, indistinctly signed, c. late 19th century, oil on canvas.

[arthistoryanimalia]

Sauce tureen shaped like an Asiatic dormouse

Made in Jingdezhen, China; about 1745

Spotted at the “Outside In: Nature-inspired Design at Winterthur” exhibition

[lionofchaeronea]

Swan, Rush, and Iris (design for a dado wallpaper), Walter Crane, 1875

[ira-scargeear]

Ukrainian traditional outfit on my Whispering Grass Cornelia.

The most tricky part is to find in-scale fabrics and findings with a proper patterns for this kind of costume. Embroidery on the shirt is imitated with a lace. The doll is 45 cm high and is available as fullset for purchase.

[theancientwayoflife]

~ Unguentarium.

Date: A.D. 1st-2nd century

Period/Culture: Roman Imperial

Medium: Transparent, almost colorless, slightly greenish glass.

[greenvillegreengirl]

Elevator doors, One LaSalle, Chicago

Original photo

[heaveninawildflower]

Pendant (1575-1625).

Rock crystal, verre eglomise and silver.

Image and text information courtesy Smithsonian American Art Museum.

[nora-barnacle]

today i learned that Rockwell Kent designed a full dinner service inspired by his illustrations for Moby-Dick. and tomorrow? tomorrow i will be several thousand dollars poorer.

[eyesaremosa1cs]

Philippe Wolfers -The Vampire (1899)

[useless-catalanfacts]

18th century tiles from Arenys de Mar (Barcelona Metropolitan Ambit, Catalonia).

Source: Museu d'Arenys de Mar.

[acrosscenturiesandgenerations]

▪︎ Puppy with a Slice of Dried Salmon.

Artist: Totoya Hokkei (Japanese, 1780–1850)

Date: 1825 (Year of the Rooster)

Medium: Surimono, shikishi-ban; polychrome woodblock print with light gauffrage.

[periodinteriors]

Interior, Gough House, attributed to Marianne Rush, undated (pre-1814), watercolor.

[arthistoryanimalia]

For #InternationalCatDay 😻

Richard H. Recchia (American, 1885 – 1983) Persian Cat, 1931 Bronze, black patina, lost wax cast 49.53 x 26.03 x 30.48 cm (19 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 12 in.) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1984.746