20th Century Jewelry: The Complete Sourcebook

The most comprehensive and detailed history and sourcebook of twentieth-century jewellery ever published

John Peacock charts the development of every kind and style of twentieth-century jewellery for both women and men: earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and bangles, brooches, rings, buckles and clasps, dress clips, hair and hat ornaments, watches, cufflinks, tiepins. . . Precious jewellery, costume and novelty jewellery are all included, and every style from Art Nouveau to Pop Art and retro.

John Peacock’s research, using not only paintings and photographs but also the jewellery itself, has allowed him to reproduce in meticulous detail a host of representative pieces from every year of the century. All the great twentieth-century designers and houses are featured – among them Lalique, Cartier, Chaumet, Georg Jensen, Fulco di Verdura, Schlumberger, Miriam Haskell, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. – as well as the mass-produced jewellery their designs inspired.

The pictures are accompanied by full descriptions, including details of materials, stones, designs, fastenings, mounts and surrounds.

An invaluable reference section includes a time chart summarizing the development of jewellery through the century, biographies of the leading international jewellers, and a concise bibliography.

This encyclopaedic survey is destined to become the unrivalled reference work in its field, indispensable to any jewellery enthusiast, designer, student or collector.

About the Author:

John Peacock has worked as a fashion and costume designer and lecturer in fashion history. He was for several years senior costume designer for BBC Television, and is the author of many books on costume.