decorative art
noun
1
: art that is concerned primarily with the creation of useful items (such as furniture, ceramics, or textiles)
—usually used in plural
2
: objects of decorative art
Examples of decorative art in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The decorative arts often employ motifs borrowed from nature, whether presented realistically or highly stylized.
—
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
Martin Chapman, a curator of European decorative art at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, which include the Legion of Honor, emphasizes the contrast between this intimate portrayal of Henry and the stately portraits often associated with the king.
—V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Last October, a portion of Ann and Gordon Getty's collection, which featured decorative arts, old-master works, furniture, porcelains, and more, sold at auction for over $150 million.
—Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 11 May 2023
Additional items include kimonos and bespoke Japanese clothing, decorative arts, and handwritten drafts for Queen’s iconic music catalog.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2023
The event will take place on Sept. 21 in Hudson, N.Y., though the full catalog is expected to go on exhibit on Sept. 8.
Stair Galleries’s director of decorative arts Muffie Cunningham sourced the items for the event.
—Justin Ray, Robb Report, 19 July 2023
There’s another interesting dynamic: As people have been reevaluating and challenging Eurocentric history in recent years, design and decorative arts collectors have expanded their scope too.
—Curbed, 16 June 2023
The big finale is the Benaki Museum of Greek decorative arts.
—Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 10 June 2023
Art-loving moms will be mesmerized by the house museum, which boasts one of the most extensive collections of decorative arts and paintings dating from 1628 to 1867.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 18 Apr. 2023
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Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
Martin Chapman, a curator of European decorative art at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, which include the Legion of Honor, emphasizes the contrast between this intimate portrayal of Henry and the stately portraits often associated with the king.
—V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Last October, a portion of Ann and Gordon Getty's collection, which featured decorative arts, old-master works, furniture, porcelains, and more, sold at auction for over $150 million.
—Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 11 May 2023
Additional items include kimonos and bespoke Japanese clothing, decorative arts, and handwritten drafts for Queen’s iconic music catalog.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2023
The event will take place on Sept. 21 in Hudson, N.Y., though the full catalog is expected to go on exhibit on Sept. 8.
Stair Galleries’s director of decorative arts Muffie Cunningham sourced the items for the event.
—Justin Ray, Robb Report, 19 July 2023
There’s another interesting dynamic: As people have been reevaluating and challenging Eurocentric history in recent years, design and decorative arts collectors have expanded their scope too.
—Curbed, 16 June 2023
The big finale is the Benaki Museum of Greek decorative arts.
—Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 10 June 2023
Art-loving moms will be mesmerized by the house museum, which boasts one of the most extensive collections of decorative arts and paintings dating from 1628 to 1867.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 18 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decorative art.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near decorative art
Cite this Entry
“Decorative art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decorative%20art. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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