II.

Decorative Versus Fine Arts

Historians of Western art generally draw a distinction between the fine arts—painting and sculpture—and the practical, or decorative arts. The fine arts, unlike the decorative arts, are meant to be appreciated for their own sake, apart from their function. Non-Western societies rarely make this distinction, however, and even in the West some overlap exists between fine and decorative arts. A medieval tapestry, which once graced a wall and kept out the cold, can share many of the qualities of a painting. And the gold saltcellar adorned with figures of Neptune and Earth (1540s, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria), created by Florentine sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, can be viewed as sculpture.

A distinction between decorative arts and fine arts emerged in Europe during the 18th century, when specialists placed painting and sculpture at the top of a hierarchy of the arts. The term decorative arts came into general use in English in the 19th century, possibly derived from the French phrase, arts décoratifs. The decorative arts have also been called the minor arts, to distinguish them from the major, or fine arts. Another term used for the decorative arts, applied arts, emphasizes the functional nature of works in this field.

Although the primary role of most decorative arts objects is comfort and convenience, many objects also communicate information about identity and social status. Coats of arms and other heraldic devices on jewelry or clothing signify personal, family, and cultural affiliations (see Heraldry). Elaborate furnishings in a palace or a household reflect the wealth and prestige of their owner.

Many people who created decorative arts objects remain nameless. For example, anonymous 19th-century whalers carved the teeth and bones of whales into decorative items, such as birdcages, toys, and walking sticks, in moments of leisure aboard ship. However, other creators of decorative arts became well known for their work. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany produced distinctive vases, lamps, and other objects of decorative glass, which carry his signature. In some cases, painters, sculptors, and architects have also pursued the decorative arts, as did the Renaissance sculptor Cellini in creating a saltcellar of gold. In the 20th century, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed furniture, light fixtures, and leaded windows to complement his houses and office buildings.