decorative art

noun

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of decorative art

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

Recent Examples of decorative art from the Web

The pervasive object ranges from decorative art piece to downright mundane design.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Phaidon’s New Book Identifies 500 Iconic Chairs—Vogue Editors Pick Their Favorite," 28 Mar. 2018
Among its buildings, the estate houses Hearst’s massive art collection, which include some of the world’s greatest paintings, sculptures and decorative art.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Sunshine Sheds Light on 17th-Century Mystery Painting At Hearst Castle," 14 Mar. 2018
Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection Cincinnatians get the chance to see more than 60 stunning examples of Tiffany's decorative arts legacy during this national tour.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Top 5 events in Cincy this weekend," 15 Feb. 2018
Townsend, who starts April 2, comes to the 10-year-old North Side decorative arts institution, located in a gilded age mansion, from the directorship of New York City’s Museum of Biblical Art.

— steve johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Driehaus Museum picks Richard P. Townsend as director," 20 Mar. 2018
Most fire escapes have the sharp edges of utilitarian simplicity, but many are ornate works of decorative art designed to be functional jewelry, albeit for urban infrastructure.

— pippa biddle, The Atlantic, "Fire Escapes Are Evocative, But Mostly Useless," 25 Feb. 2018
Though not a museum of decorative arts, the JF Chen store could certainly qualify as one.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Furniture Dealer Is Auctioning His Personal Collection at Christie’s," 8 Feb. 2018
This comes at the end of a year that explores the world of Japan at Newfields, including plant collections in the garden, food, fashion and influence on decorative arts in the 19th century.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Newfields responds after art critic calls it the 'greatest travesty in the art world in 2017'," 4 Jan. 2018
Take in the stunning interiors and array of decorative arts, then sit down for lunch in the garden.

— elle decor staff, ELLE Decor, "ELLE DECOR Goes to Milan," 20 Sep. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decorative art.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.