Fabulous Costume Jewelry: History of Fantasy and Fashion in Jewels [Hardcover]

Vivienne Becker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

This gorgeous book is a delight for all who are interested in fine craftsmanship, beautiful jewelry, and the role of fashion in an ever-changing world. Costume jewelry is an intimate reflection of its age. Shaped by the attitudes and fashion of the women who wear it, this jewelry reveals their temperaments, their fantasies, and the spirit of their times. This lushly illustrated book is a comprehensive retrospective of commercial costume jewelry, from 18th century Georgian, Neo Classic, and Romantic pieces to 20th century Edwardian, Art Deco, Cocktail, and modern "Glam Rock" jewelry. It discusses in great depth the roots of jewelry movements, the cultural trends that influenced jewelry designers-industrialism, wartime, the growth of Hollywood, technological breakthroughs, and the women's movement-and the effects jewelry had on women's fashions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Vivienne Becker, who resides in London, has worked extensively in the antique jewelry trade. She organized the 1987 exhibition of Rene Lalique's jewelry and has written extensively about jewelry, including the book Art Nouveau Jewelry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887405312
• ISBN-13: 978-0887405310
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,103,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Go Back to This Book Again and Again, January 19, 2001

By 

C. Manning "cy" (Forest City, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fabulous Costume Jewelry: History of Fantasy and Fashion in Jewels (Hardcover)

One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.