decorative art

American  

noun

1. art that is meant to be useful as well as beautiful, as ceramics, furniture, jewelry, and textiles.

2. Usually decorative arts. any of the arts, as ceramics or jewelry making, whose works are created to be useful.

3. works of decorative art collectively.

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Etymology

Origin of decorative art

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Prints, paintings and works of decorative art document the philosophies, pivotal events and major figures of the time, from the Boston Massacre and Paul Revere to indigenous conflicts and George Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

In each of the 65 episodes, a Frick curator offers insights on a work of art in the museum’s collection — a painting, sculpture or decorative art — as well as a related cocktail.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2022

When you head indoors, you’ll find more than 1,000 works of art from the Renaissance era to the 20th century, including paintings, sculptures, decorative art and a rotating collection of photographs, drawings and manuscripts.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 20, 2021

The Shenandoah Valley Scrollers carve out wood and other materials with a scroll saw to create everything from spoons, boxes and trivets, to beautiful and intricate decorative art pieces.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2017

In all ages when decorative art has flourished, ceilings have been decorated.

From Principles of Decorative Design Fourth Edition by Dresser, Christopher