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. 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.
