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Ethnic Jewelry: Design and Inspiration for Collectors & Craftsmen
Ethnic Jewelry Design and Inspiration for Collectors Craftsmen Author:Dona Z. Meilach Treasured, precious jewelry made by craftsmen from many cultures is gathered together in this unique book that will itself become a treasure. For this elaborate presentation, Dona Meilach has sought, photographed and described some of the traditional jewelry of each culture and how it has been combined with and affected by modern influence... more ».
Among the hundreds of stunning examples, you will discover intriguing motifs and techniques in silver pieces from Afghanistan, neck coils worn by the Meo of Thailand and ceremonial earrings from Morocco. You will observe marvelous designs in a gold pectoral from Colombia, beaded pendants from southern Russia, openwork fibulae from Algeria, exotic nose rings and ankle bracelets from India. You will see modern influences in Israeli jewelry, ancient aspects in jade from China, religious symbols in Mexican ceramic beads and the colorful glass-bead body adornments by people of southern Kenya.
The jewelry, from very simple to lavish, is shown in detail. There are accompanying photographs and drawings to illustrate how various cultures actually wear the jewelry.
Dona Meilach describes the techniques used and shows how they are essentially the same in all cultures, in all times, thought the results are so different. You will learn to identify the possible origin of a bead or necklace by the technique, the materials and the design. You will learn to recognize openwork, engraving, repousse, niello-work, cloisonne, dapping, chasing, forging, lost-wax casting coiling and granulation and how they appear in beads, chains, pendants and other jewelry elements.
Ethnic Jewelry is an invaluable addition to the research needed by collectors and a stimulating source book for craftsmen, jewelry designers, jewelry design teachers and students who constantly seek new ideas for design based on ethnic cultures.