Inventing the Modern World explores the ingenuity and craftsmanship of decorative arts made for world’s fairs, from the London Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in 1851 to the New York World’s Fair in 1939.  Inventing the Modern World showcases more than 200 extraordinary works of furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry produced by leading international artists and firms, including Lalique, Sèvres, and Tiffany. These exceptional and singular objects—some never before seen in the United States—represent the pinnacle of scientific and artistic achievements of their time.

Inventing the Modern World was co-organized by Carnegie Museum of Art and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.