A STUDY ON THE COLLECTIONS AND THE TRADE CATALOGUES OF ORNAMENTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY IN FRANCE : Through the study on their aim of publication, their motifs and their idea of the industrial art

Abstract

This study tries to reveal certain characteristics of the collections and the trade catalogues of ornaments as well as their interactions in the first half of the nineteenth century in France. Analysis of their differences shows that the collections are intended to be instructive materials for artists while the trade catalogues show the commercial features for their clients. The comparison of the styles of ornaments between the two publications reveals the indifference of the manufacturers with regard to the historical roots of styles. We will finally see that the ideas for the reform of the industrial art shown in the collections are partially embodied in the trade catalogues.