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Decorative Arts and Architectural Elements

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The extensive decorative arts collection comprises objects acquired by Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss for use in their various residences, especially Dumbarton Oaks. After their marriage in 1908, the Blisses became interested in English antique furnishings, but during and after their residency in Paris from 1912 to 1919, they increasingly collected French antique furnishings as well. With their decision in 1926 to build a Music Room in an essentially Renaissance style, they began to acquire Spanish and Italian Renaissance and Baroque decorative art objects for this room. Paramount to the collection are the Gothic and Renaissance tapestries.