From the middle of the nineteenth century, schools of decorative arts shaped the artistic and technical training of generations of designers. Thus, the schools also influenced the character and quality of a large part of decorative and industrial art production. Nevertheless, the history and significance of schools of decorative arts as a global phenomenon have remained largely unexplored. This edited volume is the first to bring together contributions from international experts on schools of decorative arts worldwide. A comparison of the various establishments reveals parallel objectives, e.g. the teaching of stylistic knowledge and the promotion of good taste, the advancement of female education, and, above all, the desire to compete in a world of intense political and economical rivalry.

• First edited volume on the global history of schools of decorative arts
• Twenty chapters on schools of decorative arts worldwide – from Algeria to Transylvania, from Helsinki to Kyoto