7000 Years of Jewelry: An International History and Illustrated Survey from the Collections of the British Museum (Paperback)

by Hugh Tait (Editor)
Key Phrases: amuletic jewellery, enamelled scenes, glazed composition, British Museum, Middle Kingdom, Western Asia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
[Review of previous edition:] A mind-boggling feat... 7000 years of glittering memorabilia of lost empires, royal egos, superstition and sentiment. (New York Times Book Review )

Historical, inspiring and beautiful, my copy [has taken] up permanent residence on my nightstand. (Barb Switzer Simply Beads )

Product Description

The most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated history of jewelry.

The previous edition of this exhaustive survey was published to critical acclaim by the British Museum Press. Since publication, the museum has expanded its collection, with major acquisitions of pieces from Europe and Asia. The new edition includes a complete revision of the section on Europe after 1700, plus revisions to the sections on Celtic Europe, Roman Britain, cameos and finger rings.

The book explores the varied styles, techniques and materials used to make jewelry in many civilizations throughout the world and across the millennia. Egyptian necklaces, Celtic torcs, South American gold masks, Renaissance pendants and Art Nouveau buckles are examples of the range of the masterpieces described and illustrated with 400 superb photographs.

7000 Years of Jewelry takes readers on an impressive tour that includes, among other times and places:

• The Middle East: 5000-2000 BC
• Egypt: 1500-900 BC
• Phoenician, Greek, Etruscan and Persian Lands: 850-325 BC
• China, Celtic Europe, Mexico and Peru: 600 BC-AD 600
• The Mediterranean, India, Egypt, Roman Britain and Byzantium: 325 BC-AD 600
• Europe, China, Korea and Japan: 300-1000
• Mayan Central America: 600-1000
• Central and South America: 500-1500
• Europe, Islam, China, Korea and Java: 1000-1500
• China, India, Tibet and Mongolia: 1500-1850
• West Africa: 1500-1800
• Europe: 1500-1950.

More comprehensive than before, this reference remains the finest and most beautifully illustrated history of jewelry ever published.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Updated edition (September 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554073952
• ISBN-13: 978-1554073955
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,163 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Home & Garden > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry
  #11 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > History
  #47 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for jewelry history., August 29, 2008

By	Karen Tweedie (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book presents a well-organized and well-illustrated history of thousands of years of jewelry. The textual information is packed full of interesting information and the photos have detailed captions that further enhances the amount of information presented here. As a jewelry designer, I find this to be a valuable addition to my library.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, October 13, 2008

By	Janice Sfreddo Duarte "Janice Sfreddo" (Porto Alegre, Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The best rapport cost/benefice. High-quality images, concise text, thorough presentation of the main aspects of jewelry history throughout the world! I recommend it for all professionals in the field, and for the lovers of history.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspiration!, January 7, 2009

By	Laura Hastings "ametrans" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Beautiful book, with tons of eye candy and great inspiration for jewelers. Very good explanations and background on the pieces.
One very interesting feature of this book is that there are several images of the portraits of the original owners wearing the jewelry pieces which reference current photographs of the actual piece as it is today.

Big book, with lots of beautiful pictures and interesting text. Good description of the materials used to create the jewelry.

Recommended.