The Jeweled Menagerie: A World of Animals in Gems - Hardcover

Tennenbaum, Suzanne; Zapata, Janet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0500510490 ISBN 13: 9780500510490

Publisher: Thames & Hudson, 2001

Synopsis

A showcase of the most spectacular examples of animal motifs in jewelry by master jewelers from America and Europe.

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. Over 300 photographs in full color

About this title

About the Author

Suzanne Tennenbaum is a noted collector of fine jewelry, and particularly of animal jewelry.

Janet Zapata served for many years as archivist of Tiffany & Co. and is the author of The Jewelry and Enamels of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

From Library Journal

Exquisite and delightful best describes this beautifully illustrated title highlighting the theme of animals in gems and jewelry. The text, by jewelry collector Tennenbaum and former Tiffany & Co. archivist Zapata, focuses on the historical background of various animal themes. Each of the six chapters highlights a different era from the 19th century to the present, with the introduction focusing on jewelry from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance. The magnificent illustrations and photographs, over 300 in full color, showcase the jewelry in various forms, including brooches, pins, necklaces, rings, and bracelets. Many of these creations were produced by such notable jewelry houses as Van Cleef & Arpels, Faberg‚, Cartier, Boucheron, and Tiffany and feature items ranging from the elegant and classical look, to art nouveau and art deco, to funky and whimsical. Highly recommended for collections focusing on the decorative arts and jewelry. Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Libs., Johnson City
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0500510490
• ISBN 13: 9780500510490
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208