The Bible of the antiques world - no other book covers the subject with such breadth, depth and authority. A must-have for all collectors, experts, dealers and history buffs. All the information has been checked by experts making it a one-stop reference point - no searching for hours on the internet just open this book. Chapters feature examples from across the world, giving an international persecptive on antiques and the history of design. Compiled by a team of over 40 experts this invaluable reference explains materials, marks, styles, and techniques and provides clues to identification and dating.

Judith Miller began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University in Scotland. She has since extended and reinforced her knowledge of antiques through international research, becoming one of the world's leading experts in the field. In 1979 she co-founded the international best-seller Miller's Antiques Price Guide and has since written more than 100 books, which are held in high regard by collectors and dealers. Judith Miller appears regularly on TV and radio. She is an expert on "The Antiques Roadshow" and co-hosts the popular BBC TV series "The House Detectives," ITV's "The Antiques Trail," and Discovery's "It's Your Bid". She has appeared on Martha Stewart's show and CNN. She is a regular lecturer and contributor to numerous newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times, BBC Homes & Antiques and House & Garden. She has lectured extensively, including at the V&A in London and the Smithsonian in Washington.

Introduction Historical Styles Furniture Woods and patination Decoration Marriages, alterations, fakes and care Seat furniture Tables Storage furniture Writing furniture Miscellaneous Ceramics Decoration Fakes and forgeries Collecting and care Oriental pottery and porcelain Pottery Porcelain Silver Decoration Fakes, collecting and care Candlesticks Dining silver Flatware Drinking vessels Serving beverages Serving wine and spirits Miscellaneous Jewellery Rings Necklaces etc, earrings and bracelets Sentimental jewellery Mens and early costume 20thC costume jewellery Glass Decoration Forms and styles Mould-blown and pressed Coloured glass Enamelled glass Engraved glass Cut glass Cameo glass Additions to glass Lighting Paperweights Miscellaneous Rugs and Carpets Oriental rugs and carpets European rugs and carpets The United States Textiles Needlework Quilts Costume Accessories/Lace Clocks & Watches Wall clocks Longcase clocks Bracket clocks Carriage clocks Precision, chronometers, electric Novelty Barometers Watches Arts and Crafts Furniture Ceramics Metalwork and jewellery Art Nouveau Furniture Ceramics Glass Metalwork Jewellery Sculpture Posters Art Deco Furniture Ceramics Glass Metalwork Jewellery Sculpture Posters Mid-Century Modern Furniture Jewellery and lighting Domestic wares Glass Factory-produced ceramics Studio ceramics Post-Modernism Furniture Jewellery and lighting Domestic wares Glass Studio ceramics Dolls & Teddy Bears Wood, papier-mache and poured wax dolls Other wax, china and parian dolls Bisque dolls Fabric, rag and later dolls Automata and soft toys Teddy bears Dolls' houses Toys & Games Wood and paper toys Early American toys Tinplate Trains Lead and plastic figures Diecasts Other post-war toys Oriental works of Art Metalwork Carvings Lacquerware Jade and Ivory Miscellaneous Scientific and medical instruments Sporting memorabilia Cameras and optical toys Metalwork Folk Art Boxes and bottles Perfume bottles Rock and Pop memorabilia Where to buy Glossary