Overview

Ornamentalism is the first book to focus on Renaissance accessories,their histories and meanings. The collection's eminent contributorsbring accessories to the center of a discussion about material culture,dress, and adornment, exploring their use, significance, and multiplelives. Defining an “accessory” in the broadest sense—including scents,veils, handkerchiefs, lingerie, codpieces, dildos, jewels, ruffs, wax seals,busks, shoes, scissors, and even boys—the book provides a rich culturalhistory that’s eclectic and bold, including discussions of bodily functions,personal hygiene, and sexuality. Lively, well-written, and richly illustrated with color plates,Ornamentalism will appeal to scholars of the material past and socialpractice, and those interested in fashion studies, manners and morals,gender and sexuality, theater and performance.

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9780472051175

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Reviews

Although the objects analyzed in Ornamentalism vary widely, an important unifying thread . . . is the strong focus on matters of gender and sexuality . . . . Should appeal to early modern literary scholars, historians, and art historians . . . and scholars working in queer and affect studies. Early Modern Women Journal Will appeal to those with a specialist interest in the material culture associated with male and female bodies in Renaissance Italy and England. However, the range of intellectual and theoretical approaches will ensure that there is something well worth reading for literature specialists, historians, and a wider audience of specialists and non-specialists alike. Renaissance Quarterly

Much of the appeal of this fascinating book is its ability to challenge ourassumptions about both accessories and the Renaissance. - Times Higher Education Addresses, through insightful commentaries, the social structures ofItaly and England that created and controlled personal ornamentation... useful for students of material culture and for others looking for freshviews on adornment in the early modern period. - Choice Will appeal to those with a specialist interest in the material cultureassociated with male and female bodies in Renaissance Italy andEngland. However, the range of intellectual and theoretical approacheswill ensure that there is something well worth reading for literaturespecialists, historians, and a wider audience. - Renaissance Quarterly

Much of the appeal of this fascinating book is its ability to challenge ourassumptions about both accessories and the Renaissance. - Times Higher Education Addresses, through insightful commentaries, the social structures ofItaly and England that created and controlled personal ornamentation. . . useful for students of material culture and for others looking for freshviews on adornment in the early modern period. - Choice Will appeal to those with a specialist interest in the material cultureassociated with male and female bodies in Renaissance Italy andEngland. However, the range of intellectual and theoretical approacheswill ensure that there is something well worth reading for literaturespecialists, historians, and a wider audience. - Renaissance Quarterly

Author Information

Bella Mirabella is Associate Professor of literature and humanities at NewYork University, USA. She is coeditor (with Lennard J. Davis) of Left Politics andthe Literary Profession.

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