The Arts and Crafts movement embodied the late-nineteenth-century desire to create beautiful yet functional objects that would improve the lives if craftsmen and their customers alike. Followers of the movement were nostalgic for the works of ancient artisans whose creations denoted hard work and original craftsmanship, rather than the uniform items being mass produced at the time.The influence of Arts and Crafts ideas can be seen in extraordinary broad range of work including: -- Furniture and metalwork-- Textiles and interiors-- Glass and potteryPresenting the creations of such major proponents as Charles Rennie Macintosh and William Morris, this volume charts the eclectic output of the era, as well as its historical and intellectual development. Beautifully illustrated throughout and with a clear and accessible text, this is an essential guide for anyone with an interest in the decorative arts.