Decorative Arts (often referred to as Applied Arts) are arts or crafts concerned with the design and manufacture of beautiful objects that are also functional.

While “Fine Arts” (painting, sculpture, photography) are created primarily for aesthetics and intellectual stimulation, Decorative Arts are created to be used. They include furniture, glassware, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and metalwork.

However, the line is often blurry. A Greek vase, a medieval tapestry, or a Ming Dynasty bowl are all functional objects, but they are also masterpieces of art.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the Decorative Arts.

1. The Core Distinction: Form vs. Function
For centuries, there was a debate between “High Art” (Fine Art) and “Low Art” (Craft).
Fine Art: Exists only to be looked at. It has no job other than to provoke emotion or thought (e.g., a Monet painting).
Decorative Art: Has a job. It must hold water (vase), support a person (chair), or cover a floor (rug). The challenge for the decorative artist is to make the object beautiful without ruining its ability to function.

2. The Major Mediums

The Decorative Arts are usually categorized by material.

A. Ceramics (Pottery & Porcelain)

This is one of the oldest art forms in human history.
Earthenware/Stoneware: Heavier, rougher pottery.
Porcelain: The “white gold.” Invented in China, it is translucent and delicate.
Famous Examples: Ming Dynasty Vases, Sèvres porcelain (France), Wedgwood (England).

B. Furniture
Furniture design is the architecture of the interior. It reflects the style of the era perfectly.
Marquetry: The art of applying pieces of veneer (wood, shell, ivory) to a structure to form decorative patterns.
Famous Styles:
Louis XIV/XV/XVI: The golden age of French furniture (Rococo/Neoclassical).
Chippendale: The famous 18th-century British cabinet maker.
Bauhaus/Mid-Century Modern: The Eames Chair, focusing on industrial simplicity.

C. Glassware
Glass allows for the manipulation of light and color.
Stained Glass: The windows of Gothic cathedrals (like Chartres).
Art Glass: Objects made for beauty rather than just drinking.
Famous Makers: Louis Comfort Tiffany (Lamps), René Lalique (Perfume bottles and vases), Murano (Venetian glass).

D. Textiles
Fabric arts were historically the most expensive items in a home, often worth more than paintings.
Tapestry: Woven pictures used to insulate cold stone walls in castles (e.g., The Unicorn Tapestries).
Carpets: Persian and Oriental rugs are complex geometric artworks knotted by hand.
Embroidery & Lace: Intricate needlework used to decorate clothing and linens.

E. Metalwork (Gold, Silver, Iron)
Silversmithing: Tea sets, candlesticks, and cutlery. In the 18th century, a family’s wealth was often held in their silver plate.
Jewelry: The most personal decorative art. Fabergé Eggs (made for the Russian Tsars) are the ultimate example of jewelry as an object of fantasy.

3. The Industrial Revolution Crisis

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution changed everything. Machines began mass-producing furniture and pottery.
The Problem: The market was flooded with cheap, ugly, poorly made objects. The connection between the craftsman and the object was broken.
The Reaction: This led to the Arts and Crafts Movement.

4. The Arts and Crafts Movement (c. 1880–1920)

Led by William Morris in England, this was a rebellion against the machine.
Philosophy: They believed that mass production was dehumanizing. They wanted to return to medieval craftsmanship.
Goal: To make “honest” furniture and decor where you could see the joinery and the hand of the maker.
Impact: This movement paved the way for Art Nouveau (which embraced nature) and eventually Modernism.

5. Modern Decorative Arts: “Design”

In the 20th century, the term “Decorative Arts” began to be replaced by “Design” or “Industrial Design.”

The Bauhaus (1919–1933): A German school that merged fine art with craft. They accepted the machine but argued that mass-produced objects should be designed by artists. Their motto was “Form Follows Function.”
Art Deco: The last great “luxury” style of decorative arts, using exotic woods, chrome, and plastic to celebrate the modern age.

6. Collecting and Value

In the art market (relevant to your project), Decorative Arts are a massive sector.
Provenance: Who owned the chair? (A chair owned by Marie Antoinette is worth millions; the same chair owned by a nobody is worth thousands).
Maker’s Mark: Ceramics, silver, and furniture often have stamps or signatures that prove authenticity.
Condition: Unlike a painting (which can be restored), a cracked porcelain vase loses almost all its value.

Feature Fine Art Decorative Art

Purpose Contemplation | Expression Utility \ Decoration
Examples Painting, Sculpture Chair, Vase, Tapestry
Production Unique (One of a kind) Can be Unique or Limited Series
Material Canvas, Paint, Marble Wood, Clay, Glass, Gold
Value Driver The Artist’s Name The Craftsmanship & Function

Decorative Arts