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This amazing collection of images of the Romanovs, their world, and their fabulous jewels bring the last golden years of the dynasty to life. Papi has spent years uncovering the fascinating stories behind the jewels and the people who wore them.

An amazing collection of images of the Romanovs, their world, and their fabulous jewels brings the last years of the dynasty to life

"Illustrated throughout with color photographs of superb jewelry and archival shots of the bejeweled collectors, this volume is essential for everyone with an interest in society, collecting, and the very finest of jewels."--BOOK JACKET.

“Worthwhile, both for the sumptuous jewelry and for the stunning lifestyle photographs.” —Society of Jewelry Historians For many centuries, collecting precious jewels was the province of kings and queens, emperors, and maharajas. But in the aftermath of the First World War, royal gems passed into the hands of a different kind of elite that included celebrities and a coterie that reveled in a nouveau riche whirl. Changes in fashion and the rise of Art Deco style led them to reset pieces or commission exquisite contemporary designs. Authors Stefano Papi and Alexandra Rhodes explore this dazzling era via profiles of eleven glamorous women who built up astonishing jewelry collections in the mid-twentieth century. This revised and updated edition includes two new chapters that explore the lives and jewels of Ganna Walska and Hélene Rochas. The authors reveal the remarkable stories behind the jewels and their collectors. Not only do they bring to life the worlds in which these women moved, but they also describe the gems in detail and chronicle the work of the leading jewelers of the day, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston. The book is illustrated with gorgeous close-up photography of the jewels as well as drawings of the original designs, and includes portraits of the collectors by Beaton, Horst, and other leading photographers of the time.

Profiles the extraordinary group of women who influenced styles in jewelry design after World War I For centuries the collecting of precious gems and the jewelry fashioned from them was the exclusive prerogative of kings and queens, emperors, popes, and maharajahs. In the aftermath of World War I an extraordinary group of women emerged who had the means to deck themselves in glittering bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, tiaras, and brooches. This book presents eleven profiles of glamorous women who assembled these astonishing collections in the mid-twentieth century. The fall of European monarchies meant royal jewels passed into the hands of a new social elite that included figures from show business and the worlds of industry and commerce. The women of the era cut their hair, wore looser-fitting clothes, and had greater freedom than before the war. The change in fashion led to a new style of jewelry—the historic gemstones were reset and new collections created. These influential women included Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, the Duchess of Windsor, the film star Merle Oberon, and the great diva Maria Callas. There were also less well-known figures such as the mysterious and beautiful Nina Dyer, whose husbands were the Baron von Thyssen and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. The book brings to life the worlds in which these women moved—elegant yachts, extravagant parties—and describes the details of the jewels and the jewelers (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston) that created the exquisite settings.

Margherita, Elena, and Marie Jose of Savoy were the last three queens of Italy and this volume takes a look at their lives as well as the precious jewels that accompanied them on the important occasions in their lives and of their country. In so doing, it covers over a century of Italian history.

The extraordinary jewelry creations by the famous Maison from its beginnings to the present day. This book presents the legendary jewelry and precious objects of Van Cleef & Arpels, and how they relate to time, nature and love. Time is a fundamental element for both creativity and craftsmanship. Time gives objects their shape; defines their style; determines their function, social utility, and the choice of materials and techniques; indicates origin; hones taste; and reveals context. Time is interpreted through eight values inspired by Italo Calvino's Lezioni Americane, or Six Memos for the Next Millennium, to honor the iconic pieces created by Van Cleef & Arpels over the years, from Art Deco masterpieces to the illustrious Zip necklace, gravity-defying Mystery Set, or celebrated Minaudières-some of the most important innovations in the history of 20th century jewelry-making. Nature plays an equally important role for Van Cleef & Arpels as an ever-present source of inspiration and tribute, embodied in unique gems and timeless masterpieces drawing on flora and fauna. Van Cleef & Arpels is founded on love, the most powerful energy in the world. Each object is handcrafted with love, and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry has sealed some of the century's most legendary love stories.In a brilliant historical and critical essay, illuminated by a stunning iconographic selection of jewelry, precious objects and archive materials, this work describes the Maison's eternal values of time, nature and love.

"Presents a meticulously selected overview of Cartier's contribution to 20th-century design and culture. Drawing extensively from the rich holdings of the Cartier Collection and Archive and the expertise of Cartier Heritage, it features not only a sumptuous array of rings, bracelets, necklace, and tiaras, but also cocktail and smoking accessories, mystery clocks, and lavish gifts exchanged by movie stars and maharajas, all created by Cartier's ateliers in Paris, London, and New York. ... Throughout, specially commissioned photographs of Cartier's legendary jewels and objects are accompanied by vintage photographs - drawn from the Condé Nast and Cartier archives - of royals, socialites, and Hollywood stars in their Cartier finery, including work by Steichen, Horst, Rawlings, Beaton, and Charbonneau."--Jacket.

"Presents a meticulously selected overview of Cartier's contribution to 20th-century design and culture. Drawing extensively from the rich holdings of the Cartier Collection and Archive and the expertise of Cartier Heritage, it features not only a sumptuous array of rings, bracelets, necklace, and tiaras, but also cocktail and smoking accessories, mystery clocks, and lavish gifts exchanged by movie stars and maharajas, all created by Cartier's ateliers in Paris, London, and New York. ... Throughout, specially commissioned photographs of Cartier's legendary jewels and objects are accompanied by vintage photographs - drawn from the Condé Nast and Cartier archives - of royals, socialites, and Hollywood stars in their Cartier finery, including work by Steichen, Horst, Rawlings, Beaton, and Charbonneau."--Jacket.