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Historical Dress and Decoration of the Middle Ages by Henry Shaw, FSA ISBN 1-885440-24-3 $24.95 / First Glance Books/1998 Originally written in the 1840s and published in 1858, Dress and Decoration has now been reprinted directly from the original book, including the author's own hand-colored plates. This 192-page coffee table volume is set up as a series of two-page articles each devoted to a specific topic and featuring hand-colored medieval illustrations. Subjects covered range from arms and armor, jewelry, manuscript illumination, and furniture, tapestry scenes, and fashion all combined to present an intimate portrait of the important people of the Middle Ages. Also included is a brief introduction to the Middle Ages and an index which is especially important, for the two-page articles seem to not fall in any particular order. (For instance, a description of the cross from Mt. Athos falls next to a brief discussion on Spanish warriors and minstrels.) Although a noted watercolorist, Shaw's illustrations are nothing to write home about. However that should not diminish the value of the book as a look back to how the Middle Ages were viewed in the 19th century, as well as a useful resource on medieval miscellanea, including descriptions on subjects not regularly covered in standard books, such as information on miters, reliquaries, censers, silver cups, hourglasses, and a clock.   —Lady Kimberly

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