DECORATIVE ART

any of those arts that are concerned chiefly with the design and decoration of objects that are chiefly prized for their utility, rather than for their purely aesthetic qualities. Ceramics, glassware, basketry, jewelry, metalware, furniture, textiles, clothing, and other such goods are the objects most commonly associated with the decorative arts. Many decorative arts, such as basketry or pottery, are also commonly considered to be in the craft category, but the definitions of both terms are arbitrary and no sharp distinction can be made. It should also be noted that the separation of decorative from fine arts is a modern distinction. The decorative arts are treated in several articles. For treatments of particular decorative arts, see basketry; enamelwork; floral decoration; furniture; glassware; interior design; lacquerwork; metalwork; mosaic; pottery; rug and carpet; stained glass; tapestry. For a discussion of clothing and accessories, see dress; jewelry. For treatments of decorative arts in non-Western cultures, see the appropriate sections of such articles as African arts: Other visual arts; Native American arts: Visual arts; Central Asian arts: Visual arts; East Asian arts; Egyptian art; Folk art: Visual arts of the folk tradition; Islamic arts: Visual arts; Oceanic arts: Visual arts; South Asian arts: Visual arts of India and Sri Lanka (Ceylon); and Southeast Asian arts: Visual arts.