From the dust jacket:

Midcentury craftspeople were rebels amongst rebels. They were artists, architects, and designers who reshaped, rethought, and reinvented everything familiar in everyday life. They balanced and blended the ancient protagonists Form and Function, bringing art to the ordinary.

Collecting Modern focuses on non-factory producers of furniture and ceramics. Beginning with a brief historical review of Modern design, which started in Europe and challenged American craftsmen to make a design statement of their own, David Rago profiles some of the stars of midcentury art pottery: Mary and Edwin Scheier, Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Peter Voulkos, Rose Cabat, and Maija Grotell. Summary biographies and evaluations identify the forms or elements that make their works valuable collectibles.

While the designs of a variety of independent furniture makers are showcased, John Sallo features Paul Evans, Phil Powell, George Nakashima, Wharton Esherick, and Vladimir Kagan, whose pieces are highly prized in the collector's market.

This guide to collectingthe works of midcentury modern ceramicists and furniture makers is really about the spirit of independent artists. Their biggest contribution to the Modern movement was more than amazing craftsmanship and unending innovation: it was the infusion of emotional content into raw materials.

INDEX

Charles Binns • Rose Cabat • Wendell Castle • Michael Bohn Clepper • Michael Coffey • Cowan Pottery • Richard Devore • Charles and Ray Eames • Wharton Esherick • Paul Evans • Flemington Iron Works • Fulper Pottery • Frank Gehry • Maija Grotell • William Grueby • Vladimir Kagan • Glen Lukens • Sam Maloof • Marblehead Pottery • James Mont • George Nakashima • Mira Nakashima • Gertrud and Otto Natzler • George Nelson • Newcomb College • George Ohr • Gaetano Pesce • Philip Powell • Rookwood Pottery • Roseville Pottery • Mary and Edwin Scheier • Michael Shane • Karl Springer • Harris Strong • Toshiko Takaezu • Teco • Angelo Testa • Peter Voulkos • Otto Wagner • Weller • Wiener Werkstatte • Vally Wieselthier • Beatrice Wood • Frank Lloyd Wright