Shock of the Old: Christopher Dresser's Design Revolution Book

Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) was the first industrial designer of the modern era. A true radical, he favored form over ornament, and his stylish, spare, and astonishingly modern designs contrast sharply with the highly ornate work of his Victorian contemporaries. Believing that good design could be popularized through industry, Dresser worked with more than 50 manufacturers to produce an enormous variety of reasonably priced, widely available consumer products. This book is published to accompany the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to his career.More than 300 superb color photographs reveal Dresser's highly innovative ceramics, cast-iron garden furniture, and stark, geometric silverplate tableware, as well as previously unattributed designs for textiles, wallpaper, and glass. With essays based on the latest research, this stunning volume brings Dresser the attention he deserves. Author Bio: Michael Whiteway is a well-known authority on 19th-century architect/designers and on the work of Christopher Dresser, whom he has long championed. He has curated many exhibitions, including a number on design and the decorative arts.