Book Description
Here's a dazzling look at the history of our country told through its jewelry. Produced to coincide with the National Jewelry Institute's America the Beautiful exhibition, which will begin at New York's new American Folk Art Museum and travel throughout Europe and Asia, this sumptuously photographed coffee-table book traces the emotional and cultural implications of jewelry in America. From the Lady Liberty brooch, made in Connecticut in 1797, to the simple, classic prong setting for diamonds developed by Charles Louis Tiffany in 1886, to the elegant cocktail jewelry developed as a protest against Prohibition, Masterpieces of American Jewelry showcases our country's history in an enchanting new way.
Masterpieces of American Jewelry FROM THE PUBLISHER
Jewelry is so much more than a mere accessory or a luxury of high society -- like all true art, it can be a remarkable expression of an entire culture. Masterpieces of American Jewelry celebrates the unique attributes of American jewelry, providing a stunning visual history of the values, traditions, and pleasures of our society. With more than 100 sumptuous full-color photos, as well as authoritative descriptions, celebrity profiles, and a candid interview with high-society expert Dominick Dunne, Masterpieces of American Jewelry captures the magnificence of our nation and will enchant history buffs, collectors, and curious readers alike. These pages showcase a brilliant array of pieces that are sure to delight with both their sheer elegance and their embodiment of shared national experiences and aspirations. Inside you'll find treasures that reflect America's history, natural beauty, cultural and recreational pastimes, humor, and high style. Each piece is an example of excellence, and many are the work of such illustrious jewelers as Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others. Explore the beauty of America through its most exquisite artifacts!