Author Description

This book celebrates the world-renowned jewllery collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, ranging from early Medieval pieces to examples of the jeweller's art from the Renaissance to the present day. The collection contains objects from all over Europe and North America which illustrate every important style, from Baroque, Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau to the late 20th-century avant-garde. This book explaores every aspect of this subject wihin a broad historical framework. Photographs illustrate examples of elaborate techniques such as chasing, enamelling and cameo carving and the use of unexpected materials such as jet, marcasite and steel, as well as the full range of precious stones. The pages sparkle with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and fine examples of the goldsmiths' art. Famous peices such as the Armada Jewel, jewels belonging to the Russan imperial family and to May Morris are highlighted and described in details. Sentimental and commemorative jewellery, devotional crosses and rosaries, and royal jewels are all featured, with some of the fascinating stories that behind these precious objects. Rings, brooches, pendants, earrings and decorative items such as tiaras, buckles and hair combs reveal the beauty and technical virtuosity of the pieces in this collection.