From Library Journal
Sumptuously photographed ethnic pieces from the collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva shine brightly as the stars in this magnificent cavalcade of representative and decorative jewelry from various civilizations and kingdoms of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Serving as an introduction to the photographic section, the image-provoking text-esoteric at times because of its literary quotations-focuses on various types of adornment for skin, hair, clothing, and weaponry created from gold, silver, precious and semiprecious gems, minerals, shells, teeth, and hair. Brief captions are sprinkled throughout the photographs, with fuller descriptions located in the catalog section at the end. Though primarily a coffee-table book, this may be useful for designers, artisans, and anyone interested in anthropology, ethnology, primitive art, or exotic jewelry. Recommended for both lay readers and specialists.
Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The sudden spate of coffee-table books on ethnic jewelry may not be so precipitous after all. Consider, for instance, the spectacular prices for estate ornaments (the traditional diamonds, rubies, pearls, and so on) under the hammer recently at auction houses on both sides of the Atlantic, or the news that it is politically correct to wear real baubles and bangles. Therefore, jewelry from outside Europe and the U.S. is now being celebrated for its design, meanings, and high collectibility. This book concentrates on contemporary jewelry; the more than 100 pieces are photographed elegantly, either solo as objets d'art or as human adornments. Barbara Jacobs
