Death in the Dining Room and Other Tales of Victorian Culture

Kenneth L. Ames is Chief of Historical and Anthropological Surveys at the New York State Museum and was formerly Chair of the Office of Advanced Studies at the Winterthur Museum.

• Acknowledgements Introduction 1. First Impressions 2. Death in the Dining Room 3. Words to Live By 4. When the Music Stops 5. Posture and Power Conclusion Notes Index

"Ken Ames has always 'heard a different drummer.' Death in the Diningroom explores his unique ideas of how our home furnishings give visitors a message about our status and concerns. Why don't we own a hall tree? Why are dead birds carved on the sideboard? And why are some Victorian chairs so uncomfortable? These and other strange thoughts pop up as you read his latest, well-illustrated book."-Ralph and Terry Kovel, authors of Kovels' Antiques and Collectables Price List "[E]ffectively explores and articulates 'the varied tasks and roles' performed by ordinary goods in the everyday life of Victorian America, as well as the complex, contradicted elements of culture they often reveal."-American Quarterly"An eminently engaging and entertaining work by one of the pre-eminent interpreters of Victorian culture."-Antique Review