Célébration du bijou

The aim of this book with exquisiste reproductions on a elegant black background is to retrace the history of jewelry since 1800. Te authors know what they are doing as they are specialsits from Sotheby’s who chose to concnetrate on the pieces they saw up close, as they all went through their hands. David Bennett has a record he can boast of, the bid of $46 million for the Graff Pink diamond in 2010. The book gives preference to creations from the Belle Epoque and Lalique as its spearhead, or Art deco with a cigarette case by Raymond Templier, among other works. The book also focuses on various revivals like neo-Etruscan, neo Renaissance, etc. Italian workshops exceled in most of these periods, such as those of Castellani. Among these glisttering bracelets and necklaces designed by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels or Sterlé, ceratin pieces have an amazing pedigree, such as the ’Hindu’ clip by René Boivin in diamond, ebony and gold, engraved with precious stones and which princess Baby de Faucigny-Lucinge wore in a Vogue magazine in 1937.
• Célébration du bijou by David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, Bibliothèque des Arts, 2012, 324 p., €85.