Lives of the Great Makers
Only 4 available
- Details
- Delivery & Returns
A series of fascinating, well-illustrated biographies that offer insights into the women and men whose work in the applied arts represents the very pinnacle of their craft. This fascinating, richly illustrated anthology of the lives and careers of some of the most accomplished craftspeople represented in the V&A’s collection celebrates the pinnacle of creative accomplishment. Their pioneering designs, technique and aesthetic flair resulted in masterpieces that changed the nature and direction of the decorative arts forever.
Arranged chronologically from the Renaissance to now, the makers’ biographies are contextualized by thematic introductions to the history of the decorative arts. The book features forty illustrated biographies, ranging from furniture makers such as Thomas Chippendale to woodcarvers such as Grinling Gibbons, textile artists including Gunta Stölzl and ceramicists such as Lucie Rie, alongside goldsmiths, enamellists and many more. It also explores less familiar names who made a significant contribution to their field, brought together by their extraordinary skill and innovative use of technology and materials.
Author/Artist/Designer
Rebecca Knott, James RobinsonPages
384
Dimensions
24.6 x 18.6cm (9.7 x 7.3in)
ISBN
9780500481042
Colour
Multicoloured
Product code
170950
Book Format
Hardback
Delivery
Please note, during the busy festive season, there may be additional time required for delivery.
Recommended final order dates for delivery in time for Christmas:
• Thursday 18 December for standard UK orders
• Friday 5 December for Custom Prints or International orders
Our standard delivery charges and estimated timescales are as follows. Selected product exceptions apply; see product details. International deliveries may also be subject to customs fees, tariffs or taxes upon arrival, which are your responsibility.
We're working to return to our usual 3-6 asap.
Custom prints
Each print is made to order and dispatched separately to other V&A Shop products, for UK delivery only. The charges and estimated timescales below are in addition to our standard delivery charge when bought together with a V&A Shop product. However, delivery is free for all orders over £60.
Returns
An extended returns window is granted for purchases over the Christmas period. Orders placed from Saturday 1 November 2025 can be returned until Tuesday 20 January 2026, subject to our usual eligibility criteria.
We hope you are happy with your V&A Shop purchase. However, if you are not, most items are eligible for a full refund, subject to the criteria below. Refunds are offered for items in an unused, unopened condition, and with original packaging – with the following exceptions. This does not affect your statutory rights.
The following items are excluded from our returns policy and cannot be refunded unless faulty, damaged, or not as described:
- Custom prints and other items made to your specification or personalised;
- Items that have been sealed for hygiene reasons, where the seal has been broken, such as beauty products, soap, pierced earrings, hosiery, socks, sunglasses and face coverings;
- Perishable or edible items such as flowers or food;
- Memberships, tickets for exhibitions, bookings for events and courses.
For full details, visit our Delivery & Returns page.