Art and Architecture Collection > Decorative Arts: A Research Guide

Using the Library’s Catalog

Subject headings are the best general entry point. The Library catalog CATNYP uses the Library of Congress Subject Headings. The broadest subject headings are as follows:

Antiques
Art Objects
Decoration and Ornament
Decorative Arts

The following headings are the most direct ones for Furniture, Glass and Stained Glass, Metalware, and Rugs and Carpets:

Furniture
Furniture—Attribution
Furniture—Styles
Furniture, Dutch Colonial
Furniture Finishing
Furniture Workers

Glass
Glass painting and staining
Glass, Colored
Cut Glass
Glass Containers
Glassware (may subdivide by country)

Art Metal-work
Flatware
Pewter
Pewter—Marks
Plate
Silverwork
Silver Bowls
Silver—Plated Ware

Carpets
Rugs
Rugs—Private Collections
Rugs—New York (State)
Rugs, Prayer
Rugs, Yoruk
Textile Fabrics

Keyword searching can be helpful, as long as broad terms are not used. Limited keyword searches to specific words that are as unique as possible to the search topic. The name of a manufacturer, a private collection, or a specific process or style may be useful terms to add to a word search. Advanced word searching can help locate titles published within a specific range of years.