Customer Reviews:
Beautiful.......2003-12-29
This is an unbelievably beautiful book! The photos are very good quality, the information accompanying them is interesting. Also loved the chronology at the end. Very lovely and well done.
Book Description
The fabulous Easter eggs that Carl Fabergé created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Russian imperial family are legendary. Yet few know that during those same years, the renowned goldsmith and jeweler crafted exquisite flowers and fruit for his aristocratic clients throughout Europe, including the crowned heads of Russia and England. Carved from colored hardstones, set on gold stems, and embellished with jewels and enamels, these stunning pieces meticulously replicated real botanical specimens: wild roses, lilies of the valley, hawthorn flowers, and blueberries.
This beautiful volume tells for the first time the story of these tiny marvels, most of which disappeared or were sold following the Russian revolution. Today, Fabergé's existing botanical creations, such as the Wild Rose Collection of Queen Elizabeth II and the Red Currants at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, are found in museums and private collections. Fabergé Flowers combines superb photographs of these dazzling objects of fantasy with texts that illuminate the lost world of Fabergé's early collectors. AUTHOR BIO: Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey is an independent scholar of Russian decorative arts and cultural history. Alexander von Solodkoff is a historian of Russian decorative arts. Joyce Lasky Reed is the president of the Fabergé Arts Foundation of Washington, D.C., and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite craftsmanship of nature's beauties.......2007-07-21
Just about a year ago, I went to a special exhibition in Newark, New Jersey that had artifacts from the private domain of Russia's last Tsar and his family. As I strolled among the clothing and photographs and paintings, there was one object that stood in solitary splendour in a glass case, occupying a place of honor.
The object was a bouquet of lilies of the valley, arranged in a beautifully woven basket, nestled in moss. But unlike real flowers, this was all crafted in gold, pearls and diamonds, and jade. It's so carefully made that you can see the veining in the leaves, the delicate strands of moss, and so vivid that if there was a breeze, you would swear that the arrangement would quiver.
Presented to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna as a coronation gift, it sat on her desk until the Revolution. But it wasn't the only object that she owned that was crafted by Faberge. Every well-to-do and aristocratic home had frames, silver, and other designs created by Faberge and his firm in their homes. One of the most popular of these were the small floral arrangements, usually just one or two sprigs of a particular flower in a vase of rock crystal.
In Faberge Flowers, Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey explores these tiny treasures. Most are only a few inches high at the most, and delightful to look at. With other researchers and others that have fallen under the spell of Faberge's work, she takes a look at the works of this craftsman. Each essay is accompanied by splendid photographs of the flowers -- and a few of the famous Imperial Eggs -- which made the book worth purchasing.
One of the top researchers on Faberge, Alexander von Solodkoff, writes the first essay, cleverly disguised as the introduction, where he talks about the fondness of Russians for flowers, and the cultural significance of them, especially with their associations with spring and Easter. He also talks about the varied collectors of Faberge, both before the Russian Revolution and after.
"A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Foever:" The Faberge Flowers, by the editor of the book, Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey, goes into the history of these little objects of art. Known as "flower studies," these were also the rarest of the various objects d'art that the firm crafted. Only a hundred or so of these fragile objects are known to have survived to now, and when they rarely come to the open market, they fetch astronomical prices. Swezey discusses the materials used -- most remarkable is the actual dandelion fluff used to create the dandelion flowers, each held in place with minute wires -- along with the Art Noveau style which drew inspiration from nature. For the Russian court, it was a breath of fresh air, and reaction to the at times overbearing magnificence of the most wealthy court in Europe. Also covere are the various exhibitions that were held of the Faberge flowers as well.
An Astonishing Discovery by Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm
discusses how the fall of the Soviet regime in Russia has led to the discovery of the original designs and notes that were made in the creation of the flowers. She shows the finished object side by side with the designer's notes, and the details on both are what takes my breath away when I look at them. The author also goes into the decision making process and the steps in crafting the finished product, from the selection of the stones to the making of the rock crystal vases that formed the base of many of the flowers.
"His Greatest Patroness:" Queen Alexandra and Faberge's Flowers by Caroline de Guitaut talks about the largest collection of Faberge outside of Russia, and the woman who started it. The elder sister of Empress Marie, Queen Alexandra was very familiar with Faberge's work, collecting small hardstone animals as well as more than twenty-three of the floral studies. There are also notes about the others who have added to the Faberge objects in the Royal Collection today.
Faberge's London Branch and the London Ledgers by Tatiana Faberge is the shortest of the essays, just covering how Faberge opened the London branch of the firm, and how the surviving business ledgers have proved to be valuable in tracking down where many of the objects are today.
In Search of Faberge's Flowers in Russia by Valentin V. Skurlov is translated by Dudley Hagen, and talks about the collectors in Russia before the Revolution. Not only discussing the various collectors, he also mentions that having a knowledge of flowers was a sign of being educated, and that the flowers were quite an acceptable present when a piece of jewelry would be 'awkward.' Many of these objects vanished in the confusion of the Revolution, and their whereabouts are unknown. Another tidbit is that Skurlov talks about the various floral firms that supplied many of the hothouse flowers for the aristocracy -- and as models for Faberge's artisans. Using notes and ledgers, Skurlov gives a list of the various flowers purchased or given by the Romanovs, and among the photographs can be seen one creation nestled in the original case.
Faberge's Flowers: Science in the Service of Art by Mark A. Schaffer talks about his own love of Faberge (his firm A La Vieille Russe sells jewelry and often Faberge objects in New York City) and the little touches and detail that Faberge put into his designs, showing fruits and flowers in every stage.
Every photograph is annotated, and the essays have plenty of notes attached. There is an extensive index and while the book is not cheap -- the cover price is over 30$US -- it is worth it to add to any collector who is interested in Russian art, Faberge, or who simply delights in beautiful things. This is one of the best books about the Faberge workshops, and gives plenty of information that hasn't been revealed before. The photographs are what make this worth looking at -- they are very sharp, clear and evocative, each one a serene portrait of nature caught in time and craftsmanship.
Book Description
Jewelry was one of the purest, and most successful, expressions of the Art Nouveau movement. It captured the atmosphere and the passion of the fin de sicle, as well as the moral and artistic freedom that characterized the period. Fresh designs and motifs were created with an intense excitement that was shared by artists all over the world. Sensuous animal and plant forms surged with new life; the female form struggled toward a new freedom, suggesting a long-hidden eroticism; and sunsets and changing seasons reflected the symbolic view of art in nature borrowed from the Japanese. This book deals with major jewelers in France--their inspirations, techniques, and themes--and then follows the parallel modern movement that spread through Europe and the United States. With a detailed reference section and a collection of dramatic photographs, this treasury will appeal to collectors and jewelry lovers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Impressive, comprehensive.......2007-01-10
A very good book about this period, no other one has covered the subject as this one.
complete but dissapointing.......2006-11-01
i wanted to know more about art nouveau jewelry and this book really helped me for that purpose.
it has lots of pictures and info about whatever there is to know and see.
the only dissapointment was that majority of the pics are in black and white. You miss out on all the enameling work colors..
also i expected to see more from lalique.
overall though its a good book for starters.
Beautiful and Informative Book.......2006-06-27
This book far exceeded my expectations for the price! The only minor criticism I have is that I wish ALL the photographs had been in color. A great deal......
FANTASTIC!!.......2006-04-12
Beautiful book, this book was much more than I expected. The pictures of jewellery and the information contained within was worth every penny.
Art Nouveau Jewelry.......2006-03-09
This is a gorgeous book with fine high quality photos and great history, but it lacks a price guide which would add greatly to the appeal.
Average customer rating:
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305 Authentic Art Nouveau Jewelry Designs
Maurice Dufrene
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
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Art Nouveau Jewelry
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Authentic Art Deco Jewelry Designs
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The Master Jewelers
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Jewelry: From Antiquity to the Present (World of Art)
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Masterpieces of Twentieth Century French Jewelry from American Collections
ASIN: 0486249042 |
Book Description
Over 300 spectacular pendants, combs, buckles, rings, bracelets, brooches, umbrella handles, penknives, buttons, clasps, and scissors in detailed photographs reprinted from rare, turn-of-the-century folio. Elegant, copyright-free illustrations exquisitely detailed with flower, foliage and butterfly motifs. Readily adaptable to any design use.
Customer Reviews:
Great for tattoos.......2005-02-10
I LOVE this book, and have turned many of these designs into tattoos. Never seen anything like it on any other person, either.
Average customer rating:
- lalique jewellery
- Great photography!
- Jewels of Lalique
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Jewels of Lalique
Yvonne Brunhammer
Manufacturer: Flammarion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 2080136321
Release Date: 1999-07-15 |
Book Description
The name of Rene Lalique (1860-1945) is familiar throughout the world and is synonymous with one of the most extraordinary decorative vocabularies of this century. Known primarily as a master craftsman of objects in glass, he was also the designer of exquisite jewelry that attained the highest expression of the Art Nouveau style. This book, published to coincide with a major retrospective of the artist's early work, brings together a dazzling array of jewels, many from private collections shown here for the first time, and presents them in the context of Lalique's contemporary work in glass. Authoritative texts by an International team of scholars examine a broad range of themes and influences on the artist's career from fashion and photography to literature and jeweler's techniques.
Customer Reviews:
lalique jewellery.......2003-09-05
This book is a great resource for anyone interested in not just art nouveau jewellery but master jewellers of this period.I had not seen lalique's work before and was completely besotted with the pictures in this book,it includes intial design sketches alongside the finished pieces and discusses his work in great length.Great book when I need inspiration.
Great photography!.......2002-11-27
For lovers of the Art Nouveau movement, this book is a must! Lalique was an amazing artist/jeweler, and this book covers the jewelry portion of his career well.
Jewels of Lalique.......2000-04-22
So you missed the exhibit in Dallas? True, this exhibit is possibly the only time these items from private collections will be on display. But do not despair. There is still a wonderful catalog out there to be had.
When my friends and I went to see this exhibit, we were so enamoured by the beauty of the jewelry, we wanted to carry it all home with us. The catalog was the best we could do.
The items in this exhibit that were designed and made by Rene' Lalique moved classicism to modernism. Although the luminosity of the jewelry is certainly lost in the book's photographs, like the sheen of the perfectly matched opals and the glow of the glass enamels, the level of detail is not.
The exhibit was set up to light the plique-a'-jour from the rear of the pieces as well as from the front. Plique-a'-jour is similar to cloisonné. Both techniques use glass enamels separated by cells created from metal, but cloisonné is applied onto a metal surface, whereas plique-a'-jour is openwork, more like a stained glass window. The difference in effect is that plique-a'-jour has a glow that lights up the jewelry, whereas cloisonné receives its shine from the metal behind it.
The plique-a'-jour technique was not new, having been used during the Renaissance but had been virtually forgotten. The influence of the relatively new trade with Japan opened up the eyes of those artists who were participants in the new arts & Crafts movement centered in London. In fact, Lalique studied in London and picked up on the Japanese influences. In addition, there was also a religious movement centered in Germany at this time that centered more upon appreciation of nature than a single deity.
These influences combined in Lalique's jewelry that stunned the world when he unveiled over a hundred pieces of bijou at the Exposition Universalle in Paris in 1900. Critics of his work charged that he was merely trying to provoke the public. The public crowded around the exhibit during its run nonetheless, although not all of the items in the exhibit sold during the Exposition. The opal necklace that all of us loved when we saw this exhibit in Dallas was one that did not sell, surprisingly enough.
So, if you simply could not get to Dallas, then the catalog rates a good look so that you can study Lalique's breathtaking style. He was never matched and, in fact, abandoned making jewelry for glass when cheap, shoddily made knock-offs began to appear. Lalique felt he had gone as far as he could go with jewelry and became a direct Tiffany competitor.
Average customer rating:
- Hatpin collectors you need this!!!!!
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Charles Horner of Halifax: A Celebration of His Life and Work
Tom J Lawson
Manufacturer: GML Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0954235401 |
Book Description
The first book to explore the extraordinarily diverse production of the Horner factory between 1880-1984. Offers an insight into the design and production methods of mass market jewellery through the twentieth century. A Valuable and comprehensive portrait of a large and long-lived jewellery manufacturing business. Contains over
Customer Reviews:
Hatpin collectors you need this!!!!!.......2004-01-04
If you're going to collect, or already collect hatpins, you should have this book. It is just as informative and interesting as Lillian's books(if you collect you know who she is). This book gives the best history and pictorial history of hatpin manufacturing available. A most valuable quide for those who really enjoy the period hatpin and it's history. Foremost, you never know when you're going to get lucky enough to buy an authentic Charles Horner pin, and when you do-You'll know all about it's travels!
Average customer rating:
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Schmuck-Kunst im Jugendstil
Fritz Falk
Manufacturer: Arnoldsche Verlagsanstalt GmbH
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ASIN: 3925369848 |
Customer Reviews:
An Art Nouveau Must!.......2000-04-05
If you pride your self on your Art Nouveau jewelry book collection, and don't own this book, you better order it right now. It includes Lalique, Fouquet, Gautrait, Gaillard, Vever, Wolfers, Masriera, and Cranach. Each of these artists has a small section written about them, some including their signature/stamp/trademarks (black and white pictures of the artisans), followed by a selection of beautiful (all color) glossy pictures. About 95 color pictures in all. In the back is a small biography on each artist, and the entire book is printed in both German and English. This book is wonderful for an overall report on the topic, but not highly detailed on any selected person. So if you want a lot of information on one particular craftsman, this may not be the best book for you to buy right now. After you get the individual artist's book, you definitely need to get this one. The only negative comment I have is one I have for many "art" books. There are a few (three-five) pieces that are blown up to be shown on both pages, and of course the book binding splits up the picture, causing a loss of quality. But I'm picky. I still give the book five stars!
Customer Reviews:
Poor photos.......2006-02-22
While this book might be of some use to an antiques dealer, the photos are much to small and of to poor a quality to be of any use to a student of jewelry. I was very disappointed.
Could have been better.......2003-05-12
I think that this author had a lot of good information, but needed better help from an editor in organizing and presenting it.
The first section is disorganized and hard to follow. It was intended to cover the "inspirational forces" for Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry (people, places, ideas, and events) but the way it was presented made the information not very valuable, at least to me.
One thing I learned---while I knew that "nouveau" meant new, I learned that "deco" meant "young.
Section 2 had some wonderful color plates of pieces of jewelry and the third section had lists of designs, motifs, and materials for "new art" jewelry.
Section 4 had "thumbnail sketches" of jewelers, jewelry designers/makers, manufacturers and retailers.
The last section was an interesting glossary of jewelry terms and types. I especially enjoyed the information about hallmarks, enamel, combs, hatpins, and purses (mesh and beaded).
Complete,Concise, Comprehensive Guide.......2000-04-20
Baker presents a definitive guide to Deco and Nouveau Jewelry. She outlines the historical influences on the designs, offers beautifully photographed and representative pieces and concludes with a glossary and price guide. Her format is logical and the placement of the price guide as an addendum allows periodic updates that keep the book current. Overall a helpful guide for the novice or experienced collector and a pleasurable book for simply viewing lovely jewelry pieces. The paperback format allows affordability.
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