500 Brooches: Inspiring Adornments for the Body »

Never before has such an extensive and beautiful collection of brooches been assembled, or photographed to such perfection. Marjorie Simon, a distinguished presence in the jewelry field, chose the pieces, and every one features the fine craftsmanship of a top contemporary jeweler. The breathtaking and provocative styles range from traditional to very avant-garde, and the brooches come not only in gold, silver, copper, and wire, but also in glass, porcelain, paper, and other more unusual materials. They're forged, soldered, chased, and cast, and surface embellishments run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. In some cases, detail images and artist's comments accompany the full-size photos. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves exquisite items will appreciate the amazing diversity on display here.

Library Journal

These photo gallery books are part of a continuing series on contemporary crafts, which also includes 500 Bowls and 500 Teapots. Both feature artistic, sometimes humorous, and generally nonfunctional examples of brooches and cups by many international artists. Captions include the artist's name, title, dimensions, medium, and photographer's credit. As compilations of the best work being done today, these visual delights are an inspiration for crafters; they do not include projects, nor do the previous series volumes. Recommended for specialized decorative arts collections. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.