The V&A has one of the world's greatest collections of 17th- and 18th-century European decorative art. Eighty masterpieces from this magnificent collection, acquired and used by rulers of power, wealth, and taste, provide the focus of this book. Each is contextualized in one of five thematic sections that highlight an important aspect of European courtly life: the importance of war; the role of religion; the peaceful arts of the domestic interior; and the magnificence of personal adornment. Superb new photography reveals a broad range of objects, including paintings and sculpture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and furniture, textiles and dress, prints and drawings. Lesley Miller is a senior curator in the Furniture, Textiles and Fashion Department at the V&A. She is a specialist in 18th-century European fashion and textiles. Orders are despatched from our UK warehouse next working day.