Beyond terminology, or, the limits of “decorative arts”

Abstract

Determining the meaning, status, and future of the term ‘decorative arts’ is not merely a question of disciplinary boundaries or institutional practice, idealism or ‘success’, or a pass at the methodological smorgåsbord. This paper argues that the term ‘decorative arts’ has both a specific historical meaning and continuing relevance to other terms such as material culture and design history. This essay discusses the term and its relationship to disciplinary shifts that affected art history, design history in the UK, and material culture in the US. Furthermore, it offers a case study for current scholarship, teaching, and exhibition practice.

Keywords

• art history
• material culture
• decorative arts
• history of collecting
• exhibition practice