This is a concise yet wide ranging survey of collectable antique furniture. The new collector will use it as an accessible reference tool enabling him to be confident in identifying key features of a wide variety of items. The book is structured chronologically by century and within each period by country. Periods, woods, jargon are intimidating - this is a guide to overcome initial confusion, Numerous illustrations complement the text. The book is aimed at the starting out or would-be collector who wants to have available the most important facts in an easily accessible form. Because of its comprehensive but concise approach it is also useful as a refresher course for existing collectors who wish to check sources or expand their interests. Furniture of the western world is covered from Gothic to renaissance period to the beginning of the twentieth century. English and American furniture is dealt with, as are the vitally important French and Italian pieces. There are also sections on German, Austrian, Low Countries, Spanish and Portuguese influences. The work of important furniture designers is discussed, from the famous French ebenistes and Chippendale through the 19th century from Biedermeier to architect-craftsmen such as Pugin and Stickley and the mass producers of bentwood such as the Austrian Thonet, ending with the Belgian and French Art Nouveau designers. Country and provincial furniture is included. Examples cover Windsors, Alsatian, provincial French, painted Pennsylvania Dutch, Shaker and Hitchcock pieces.