Synopses & Reviews
Beautiful jewelry made from natural materials fill the pages of this sumptuous book. Organized by materialpearls, shells, coral, horn, wood, and much morewith an emphasis on important motifs of the jewelers art, the book features more than 300 brooches, necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets from the collections of the Duchess of Windsor, Diana Vreeland, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Ellen Barkin, as well as from the design archives of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura, Bulgari, Tiffany, and many other important jewelry designers. Every major period of jewelry of the past 200 years is coveredGeorgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro, and Contemporary. Many of the objects appear here for the first time. The chapters include a variety of entertaining profiles on subjects such as David Webb; the changing fashions of the 1960s and 70s; Chanel; Orchids and Art Nouveau; the Grand Tour; Cartier and Art Deco; Ivory and the Nude; the Baroda pearls (the most expensive pearls to sell at auction); Paul Poiret; Boivin; A Mania for Motifs; JAR; Andrew Grima; and the Duchess of Windsor ("Small Woman, Big Stones"). Helpful sidebars cover various types of wood, famous pearls, and a lexicon of imaginary beasts in jewelry.
“For those of us who consider jewelry part of enduring style, Living Jewels is a must. Heres a book that is welcoming and inspiring, and a tribute to the artists who have made these exquisite pieces. Living Jewels is a book Ill treasure.” ~ Kate Spade
“Living Jewels sends a message, loud and clear: theres more to fine jewelry than gemstones. A lot more, as it turns out. Ruth Peltason has assembled two centuries worth of spectacular examples, showcasing materials and techniques long considered peripheral or inferior to the big rocks that have dominated the category and its history. The result makes an expert, irrefutable case for coral, wood, pearls, amber, shell, horn, and any number of natures other sublime inventions as inspiration for exquisite artistry and design. As stylish, witty, and glamorous as the treasures it celebrates, Living Jewels is destined to become an instant, indispensable reference for connoisseurs and an irresistible delight for any woman who loves jewelry and wears it.” ~ Holly Brubach
Synopsis
In the nineteenth century a new group of designers, seeking to satisfy the growing middle class's appetite for jewels, revived the Egyptian and Etruscan styles. Animals of all sorts were incorporated: birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and fish. Prominent houses such as Fouquet, Fontenay, Falize, Faberge, and Tiffany all produced a spectacular array of animal jewels that are much prized today. Design developments throughout the twentieth century Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and those that followed contributed impressive animal jewelry, from Lalique's intricate insects to Cartier's panthers, from Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels to the sophisticated imagery of Verdura This book examines in detail the denizens of this jeweled menagerie. Great imagination and technical skill have gone into the fashioning of these precious objects, which exhibit not only meticulous craftsmanship but also grace, humor, and refinement. "
Synopsis
The depiction of animals in art goes back to prehistoric cave paintings; and the early history of jewelry, from ancient Egyptian scarabs to Renaissance pendants, shows abundant examples of animal imagery.
In the nineteenth century a new group of designers, seeking to satisfy the growing middle class's appetite for jewels, revived the Egyptian and Etruscan styles. Animals of all sorts were incorporated: birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and fish. Prominent houses such as Fouquet, Fontenay, Falize, Fabergé, and Tiffany all produced a spectacular array of animal jewels that are much prized today. Design developments throughout the twentieth century--Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and those that followed--contributed impressive animal jewelry, from Lalique's intricate insects to Cartier's panthers, from Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels to the sophisticated imagery of Verdura.
This book examines in detail the denizens of this jeweled menagerie. Great imagination and technical skill have gone into the fashioning of these precious objects, which exhibit not only meticulous craftsmanship but also grace, humor, and refinement.
Synopsis
Nothing compares to the exquisite elegance and design of jewelry made from natural materials. This lavish visual feast features jewelry crafted from pearls, shells, coral, horn, and more, spanning the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, art nouveau, art deco, retro, and contemporary periods. Many of the items showcased are revealed here for the first time, including brooches, necklaces, dog collars, rings, earrings, and tiaras. Unusual treasures such as the Baroda Pearls are explored in depth, and jewelers profiles feature Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany, Fabergé, Bulgari, and many more world-famous jewelers.
Synopsis
A showcase of the most spectacular examples of animal motifs in jewelry by master jewelers from America and Europe.
About the Author
Ruth Peltason worked with Elizabeth Taylor on the New York Times bestseller My Love Affair with Jewelry. A widely experienced writer, editor, and designer of books on the visual arts and a former editor at Abrams, she now runs Bespoke Books in New York.