From medieval pilgrim badges and Renaissance hat decorations to jewelled brooches and 20th century political pins, brooches and badges are often more than practical or decorative dress fasteners; they are expressions of identity. Focusing on the Victoria & Albert's world-famous collection, the book explores the evolution of these intricate and versatile works of art, and the way in which changes in dress have dictated their use. Among the hundreds of beautiful colour plates and photographs are examples of gold and enamel brooches from the mediaeval era, garnets and sapphires from France, silver and brilliant cut diamonds from 1760, Gold and glass micro mosaics from 1870, electroplated examples intaglio crystal, freshwater pearls and demantoid garnets, enamelled platinum and black Onyx with carved coral and nephrite jade from France 1925, Cartier platinum and diamond brooches, art deco brooches and watches, and all the major manufacturers like Castellani, Lalique, Fouquet, Van Cleef & Arples, Cartier and Thomas Gentille of New York. Chapters include: Send... Letters, Tokens, Brooches, and Ranges 1000-1500, Rich Apparel, Precious Jewells 1500-1800, Any Number of Brooches, Up and Down and Everywhere 1800-1900, The New Jewel Has Been Born 1900-1920, Clips Are Going Like Wildfire 1920-1940, Almost Anything Goes 1940-1960, Precious Stones Have Won Their Freedom 1960-1990, The Shock of Beauty 1990-The Present. Thames & Hudson and V&A museum glamorous publication, 160 pages. 16.51 x 23.37 cm.
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