{"title":"Amy Boyington","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmy Boyington’s works invite readers into the refined world of arts and culture, exploring the subtle narratives behind historic interiors and the art of country house dining. Her writing offers an elegant blend of history and aesthetics, perfect for those fascinated by the heritage and traditions that shape cultural experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith titles such as \u003cem\u003eHidden Patrons\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Country House Dining Room\u003c\/em\u003e, Boyington uncovers the stories embedded within spaces and rituals, enriching our understanding of the past through a cultured and nuanced lens.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hidden-patrons-by-amy-boyington-9781350358607","title":"Hidden Patrons","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShortlisted for the Architectural Book of the Year Award 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn enduring myth of Georgian architecture is that it was purely the pursuit of male architects and their wealthy male patrons. History states that it was men who owned grand estates and houses, who commissioned famous architects, and who embarked upon elaborate architectural schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHidden Patrons\u003c\/em\u003e dismantles this myth - revealing instead that women were at the heart of the architectural patronage of the day, exerting far more influence and agency than has previously been recognised. Architectural drawing and design, discourse, and patronage were interests shared by many women in the eighteenth century. Far from being the preserve of elite men, architecture was a passion shared by both sexes, intellectually and practically, as long as they possessed sufficient wealth and autonomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn an accessible, readable account, \u003cem\u003eHidden Patrons\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the role of women as important patrons and designers of architecture and interiors in eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland. Exploring country houses, Georgian townhouses, villas, estates, and gardens, it analyses female patronage from across the architectural spectrum, and examines the work of a range of pioneering women from grand duchesses to businesswomen to lowly courtesans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRe-examining well-known Georgian masterpieces alongside lesser-known architectural gems, \u003cem\u003eHidden Patrons\u003c\/em\u003e unearths unseen archival material to provide a fascinating new view of the role of women in the architecture of the Georgian era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47455588221164,"sku":"9781350358607","price":49.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/91WiNCq7_SL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774785285"},{"product_id":"the-country-house-dining-room-by-amy-boyington-9780300276923","title":"The Country House Dining Room","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Country House Dining Room\u003c\/em\u003e combines architectural, social, and cultural history to explore the significance of the Country House Dining Room during the Georgian era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe eighteenth-century country house dining room was a symbol of social status, wealth, and cultural refinement, operating as both a functional space and a theatrical venue for displaying power. Drawing on the most fashionable architectural styles of the day, these rooms were meticulously crafted to convey the owner's affluence and sophistication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe design and decoration of the dining room itself became an integral part of the dining experience, with fine art, antique sculptures, and exquisite furnishings enhancing the room's grandeur. Table settings, featuring intricate porcelain, silverware, and glassware, emphasised the importance of aesthetic presentation, further reinforcing the owner's social aspirations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book charts how the country house dining room encapsulated the social, cultural, and political dynamics of the Georgian era. Through its design, rituals, and contradictions, it served as a microcosm of the broader societal values and hierarchies of the time. Dining was not merely about sustenance, but a reflection of status, identity, and the complexities of social interaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47562867114220,"sku":"9780300276923","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780300276923-the-country-house-dining-room.jpg?v=1776988976"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/amy-boyington.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}