Includes bibliographical references (pages 190-199) and index
Contents:
For the Love of Shells / Anne Goldgar -- The Nature of Exotic Shells / Claudia Swan -- Shells, Bodies, and the Collector's Cabinet / Anna Grasskamp -- Shell Life, or the Unstill Life of Shells / Marisa Anne Bass -- Thinking with Things in Petronella Oortman's Dollhouse / Hanneke Grootenboer -- Shells and Grottoes in Early Modern Germany / Róisín Watson -- Shells, Prints, and the Discerning Eye / Stephanie S. Dickey
Summary:
"A history of shells in early modern Europe, and their rich cultural and artistic significance"-- Provided by publisher and "Among nature's most artful creations, shells have long inspired the curiosity and passion of artisans, artists, collectors, and thinkers. Conchophilia delves into the intimate relationship between shells and people, offering an unprecedented account of the early modern era, when the influx of exotic shells to Europe fueled their study and representation as never before. From elaborate nautilus cups and shell-encrusted grottoes to delicate miniatures, this richly illustrated book reveals how the love of shells intersected not only with the rise of natural history and global trade but also with philosophical inquiry, issues of race and gender, and the ascent of art-historical connoisseurship. Spanning painting and print to architecture and the decorative arts, Conchophilia uncovers the fascinating ways that shells were circulated, depicted, collected, and valued during a time of remarkable global change"-- Back cover