Modernist Jewelry 1930-1960: The Wearable Art Movement (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This beautifully written new book explores the work of 175 of the most important American modernist artist jewelers through a comprehensive text and over 540 color and 35 black and white photos. Beginning with the streamlining of Art Moderne, modernist jewelers mirrored the consciousness of their age. They were free thinkersartists who broke away from the mainstream of jewelry design and looked to the fine arts for inspiration; they were Surrealists, Cubists, and Abstract Expressionists functioning as sculptors in small scale, painters in enamels, and architects in miniature. The modernist metalsmiths of the 1930s through 1960s laid the groundwork for the enormous expansion of metalsmithing in the 1970s and '80s. These creative jewelers produced personal designs as they absorbed the changes happening in the world around them. The artists' stories and jewelry are arranged chronologically and linked to four pivotal exhibitions held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, in 1946; the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, in 1948 and 1955; and an exhibition on paper in 1959. Together, the artists at these important events comprise the modernist movement of wearable art directly and through their influence on the subsequent generations. This important book will stand as the primary reference to art jewelry of the mid-20th century and be consulted by all who want to understand the innovations it embraces.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing; illustrated edition edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764320203
• ISBN-13: 978-0764320200
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,578 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a Masterpiece, February 5, 2005

By	Glenn B. Pamfiloff "Sheila's little helper" (Walnut Creek, CA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My wife makes me read most of her dozens and dozens of jewelry books so I can help her out occasionally, but this one didn't need more than a quick browse to get me started.

Modernist Jewelry, it seems as though there has never been enough information. Christie Romero's Warman Jewelry and Messengers of Modernism were great aids. The Author's online Modern Silver Magazine has provided insightful information on dozens of Modernist artists, as as her webpage.

Now we have the most complete source of information available anywhere. Studying the art, the histories, the influences, and especially the artists has finally become possible from this scholarly work. The photography is top-notch, the values are reasonable, timely, and well researched, and the writing is clear and concise. All-in-all it is simply a Masterpiece!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modernist Marvel, September 12, 2004

By	Jane Clarke "morning glory antiques & jewelry" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Marbeth has the unique combination of an artistic eye, personal research knowledge and market experience that makes this book such a treasure. If you love Modernist Jewelry, this book will re-kindle your passion... and if you are not familiar with it, this book will light your fire! As a dealer and collector, I own hundreds of books on jewelry, and this is one of my top-10 favorites. Buy it now and enjoy it for years to come.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Strong 'Must Buy' for collectors, dealers, and historians!, October 23, 2004

By	Sheila Pamfiloff "Co-author 'Miriam Haskell J... (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Finally, we have a compendium of history, facts, photos, and values. Marbeth Schon has done the research for us, and now we can put this wonderful information to work. For collectors and dealers, this is a must have work of beauty and scholarship. The organization makes it a valuable reference source, while the photographs make it an invaluable reflection on the 'Art Movement' of 'American Modernism'.

From the well known to the obscure 'Modernist Artists', their works and their place in history has now been beautifully documented by this wonderful research author.