Jewelry and Metalwork in the Arts and Crafts Tradition

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Summary: The best jewellery book I own
Review: The Arts and Crafts era is without a doubt one of the best periods in jewellery history.This really was the period were people used there own creative instincts,were being original,true to the craft and not subscribing to a mass produced fashion/style e.g art nouveau,etc etc.It was also the forefather of modern jewellery design.This book is the prized favourite in my collection of jewellery books,before I bought it I had read it in the library countless times and it can be reread again and again.The best part about it was that it referenced so many obscure and unknown designers and jewellers,who have not been give due credit for the amazing work they produced.It is beautifully illustrated and ispirational and is interesting because most 'jewellery history' books only concentrate on the movement itself and feature traditional jewellers who became part of that movement.This is the first book Ive read were most of the jewellers are artists or creative groups making jewellery.Alot of the information in the book is impossible to find even online!I've looked.Very well done and researched, worth every cent.Also recommend Artists' Jewellery - Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts; by Geoffrey munn if you love this era.Though this book is the better of the two, but both are invaluable.

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Summary: The origins of current Arts and Crafts revival
Review: This book is much better than many Schiffer books because it is a good way to compare and contrast the interpretation of the Arts and Crafts style at the turn of the 20th century. We are currently going through an Arts and Crafts revival with the available abundance of Mission and Prairie furniture knock-offs.

We learn from this book that the current revival is limited to the style of New Yorker Gustav Stickley who, in 1892, was inspired by the English designers William Morris and John Ruskin. Stickley favored simple linear lines in his furniture. The Arts and Crafts movement had many variations, evolving from a backlash against the rise of industry and mass-production. The movement emphasized pride in fine handcrafting and workmanship, attention to detail, and rejection of Victorian stylings having little artistic integrity.

As applied to jewelry, the Arts and Crafts movement took on different interpretations depending upon the designer's location. In France, some jewelry tended toward the grotesque. Following a different muse, Lalique's jewelery was themed on nature, such as insects and flowers.

In Sweden, Georg Jensen's silver jewelry sought classic new shapes. In the US, Tiffany used multi-hued glass in his jewelry designs. In Ireland, there was a Celtic revival in jewelry. Ancient Celtic designs such as swirling, swerving, symmetrical knots were Arts and Crafts "naturals."

Precious stones used in Arts and Crafts jewelry include gold, enamel, opal, amethyst, diamond, garnet, and pearl, particularly baroque pearls.

If you are interested in the Arts and Crafts movement, this book will give you not only an idea of how the design was applied to jewelry but also to architecture, furniture and accessories, and clothing.