The Best of Painted Furniture

The art of lacquering was introduced to France from the Orient in the late 17th century. By the 18th century, native-made, richly colored and detailed painted furniture was ""the rage of French society''as exemplified by pieces treated with opulent vernis Martin, a green varnish enhanced by gold dust. In a work that will be most valuable to art historians, interior designers and collectors, de Dampierre, who owns a New York gallery specializing in painted furniture, also traces the ascendancy of this decorative art form in Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and America, exploring the influence of politics on art. The 18th and 19th century pieces of painted furnituremost made of wood, but some of metal and papier-macherange from sophisticated French and Italian examples to simpler, more provincial American and northern European folk-art pieces. Lavishly illustrated with color pictures, the inspiring volume also displays some contemporary rooms that utilize painted pieces and offers some tips on the care of painted furniture. (July 6)