Fancy is Fine

Fancy Form and Flowers A Significant Group of Kentucky Inlaid Furniture. Exhibit catalog Headley-Whitney Museum, Lexington, Kentucky 2000.

This one is a little bit on the focused side for this general blog. But it was such a wonderful work that I thought that I had to list it and I love the Kentucky items. I know that Kentucky scholars will enjoy it and it should force students in other states to look into their own areas. It might even inspire someone to begin research. This exhibit took place in 2000 at the Headley-Whitney museum. It was in my opinion a landmark exhibit that at long last began to pull the study of Kentucky decorative arts into the light.

The exhibition curators were noted Kentucky decorative arts scholar and Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, Marianne P. Ramsey and Diane C. Wachs who was then director at the Headley-Whitney and now supervises the Furniture and Decorative Arts Department at Cowan Auctions in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This catalog features examples by an unknown craftsman working out of Garrard County, Kentucky circa 1800 - 1830. His construction, inlay and manner are so indicative to one workshop that Robert and Norma Noe have based a large portion of their collection on this individual. Yet again bringing to light the importance of Kentucky decorative arts.

Numerous high quality black and white illustrations show examples from the Noe and other private collections. 39 numbered pages, soft cover. Contains a small but highly important bibliography in the back. You may find this online but I had no luck in securing a current price. I've seen them sell on eBay for over $100.00. But I've been told that on rare occasions they make appearances at the Headley-Whitney gift shop for nominal prices. I highly recommend this book to anyone seriously studying Kentucky culture and arts.

Remember, Knowledge is Power, So Arm Yourself.