corundum, history.1, quality.10, gems, gold, spinel, pearls, turquoise, rhino horn, amber, Indian lapidary, jade, jewelry arts, China, Africa, Egypt, Western Asia, Middle East, Greek, glyptic, engraved gems

Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of decorative art. Totally unconnected civilizations, separated by the vast barriers of time and space, have discovered the intrinsic beauty of certain materials and minerals- gold, especially, attracted craftsmen in ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago as much as it does the jewelers and designers of today. This panoramic history, illustrated with the world renowned collections of the Brutish Museum, and reveals the varied styles, techniques, and materials that have delighted men and women for centuries. Ancient Greek necklaces, Celtic torcs, Renaissance pendants, and Art Nouveau buckles are among the masterpieces specially photographed for this book and described by a team of experts from the British Museum. Clear, concise introductions establish the historical background for each region and period, so that the jewelry can be appreciated not only for its craftsmanship and beauty but also within the context in which it was created and worn. Separate sections on cameos, rings, and amulets discuss the particular uses these objects have been put to throughout time. The areas covered in this comprehensive volume include Egypt and Western Asia, Africa and the Middle East, ancient Greece and Rome, China, Korea and Japan, Europe, Byzantium and Turkey, Central and South America, and India and Tibet, among other regions and countries, spanning fully 7,000 years. Hugh Tait, the editor of this volume, is Deputy Keeper of Medieval and Later Antiquities at the British Museum. He is the author of The Waddesdon Bequest and Clocks and Watches, and the editor of The Art of the Jeweller, the catalogue of the Hull Grundy gift of jewelry, engraved gems, and goldsmiths’ work to the British Museum. In 1976 he organized the Museum’s highly acclaimed exhibition Jewellery Through 7,000 Years, the original inspiration for this new book.