0
Your cart

Your cart is empty

Browse All Departments
Price
  • R100 - R250 (8)
  • R250 - R500 (31)
  • R500+ (172)
  • -
Status
Format
Author / Contributor
Publisher

Books > Arts & Architecture > Art forms, treatments & subjects > Decorative arts & crafts > Gold & silversmithing

Late Classical and Hellenistic Silver Plate from Macedonia (Hardcover, New): Eleni Zimi Late Classical and Hellenistic Silver Plate from Macedonia (Hardcover, New)
Eleni Zimi
R5,792 Discovery Miles 57 920 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This is the first comprehensive and fully illustrated study of silver vessels from ancient Macedonia from the 4th to the 2nd centuries BC. These precious vessels formed part of dining sets owned by the royal family and the elite and have been discovered in the tombs of their owners. Eleni Zimi presents 171 artifacts in a full-length study of form, decoration, inscriptions and manufacturing techniques, set against contemporary comparanda in other media (clay, bronze, glass). She adopts an art historical and sociological approach to the archaeological evidence and demonstrates that the use of silver vessels as an expression of wealth and a status symbol is not only connected with the wealth spread in the empire after Alexander's the Great expedition to the East, but constitutes a practice reflecting the opulence and appreciation for luxury at least in the Macedonian court from the reign of Philip II onwards.

The Guide to Gemstone Settings - Styles and Techniques (Paperback): Anastasia Young The Guide to Gemstone Settings - Styles and Techniques (Paperback)
Anastasia Young
R547 Discovery Miles 5 470 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

A complete and practical guide to using precious and semi-precious stones in any metal - from traditional settings to contemporary looks. This is a detailed, technical guide to stone-setting for jewellers and jewellery students. It explores traditional, modern and experimental approaches to stone-setting, from the purely functional to design-led solutions for securing stones. This book takes you through the entire process of setting stones from choosing a suitable stone, designing and making the setting, to seating and setting the stone. The extensive setting techniques are combined with step-by-step demonstrations, precise diagrams and images of contemporary work from international jewellers. A comprehensive reference section, featuring an illustrated glossary, makes this book the essential stone-setting resource for both students and professional jewellers. Demonstrations produced using 3D modelling software provide the most up-to-date reflection of current practice and technology, and allow explanations of skills and techniques to be presented with expert accuracy. This book is the perfect resource for jewellers of all levels.

Runic Mandalas - Path to Meditation and Healing (Hardcover): Nadejda B. Matsko Runic Mandalas - Path to Meditation and Healing (Hardcover)
Nadejda B. Matsko
R2,086 R1,663 Discovery Miles 16 630 Save R423 (20%) Ships in 18 - 22 working days
The Beauty in All - Observations by Jose Hess, America's Award-Winning Jewelry Designer (Hardcover): Jose Hess, Magdalena... The Beauty in All - Observations by Jose Hess, America's Award-Winning Jewelry Designer (Hardcover)
Jose Hess, Magdalena Hess
R568 R522 Discovery Miles 5 220 Save R46 (8%) Ships in 18 - 22 working days
Hemp Jewelry 2.0 - A Quick Guide on How to Make Hemp Macrame Jewelry (Hardcover): Howexpert, Robyn McComb Hemp Jewelry 2.0 - A Quick Guide on How to Make Hemp Macrame Jewelry (Hardcover)
Howexpert, Robyn McComb
R728 Discovery Miles 7 280 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
How To Make Hemp Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Hemp Jewelry (Hardcover): Howexpert, Tabitha Clark How To Make Hemp Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Hemp Jewelry (Hardcover)
Howexpert, Tabitha Clark
R740 Discovery Miles 7 400 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery (Hardcover): Beth Bernstein The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery (Hardcover)
Beth Bernstein
R866 R613 Discovery Miles 6 130 Save R253 (29%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

"It imparts the type of educational information that all stages of jewelry collectors, as well as jewelry enthusiasts from students to dealers, will go back to again and again." - Beth Bernstein, Instore Mag "The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery will make a collector of you yet" -Annie Davidson, JCK "...filled with fun factual titbits that are presented in a witty, conversational style, with lively narratives exploring each piece's history." - Solitaire International "The ultimate go-to guide." - Retail Jeweller World The ultimate go-to guide, The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery takes the reader on a tour through time, venturing from the 1700s all the way through to the early 20th century. From how to look chic while wearing jewellery that outdates you by 100 years, to how to spot and score the best pieces, this book is a must-read for all enthusiasts and collectors who have an affinity for the jewels of the past. Fun factual tidbits are presented in a witty, conversational style, and lively narratives explore each piece's history. Part travelogue, featuring the most influential shops in New York, LA, London, Paris and Amsterdam; part educational guide, with anecdotes from dealers and experts; and part celebration of historical jewellery, this book is an invaluable and accessible reference. Topics covered include (but are not limited to): how to identify the most popular gemstones, materials, styles and collectible pieces in the market today, and how to select antique jewellery to complement your lifestyle. The Modern Guide to Antique Jewellery will reveal what to look for and where to locate rare finds, as well as how the experts score the pieces that decorate the fingers, ears, necks and wrists of the collector.

How To Make Beaded Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Beaded Jewelry (Hardcover): Howexpert How To Make Beaded Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Beaded Jewelry (Hardcover)
Howexpert
R731 Discovery Miles 7 310 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
Craftsmen and Jewelers in the Middle and Lower Danube Region (6th to 7th Centuries) (Hardcover): Daniela Tanase Craftsmen and Jewelers in the Middle and Lower Danube Region (6th to 7th Centuries) (Hardcover)
Daniela Tanase
R4,508 Discovery Miles 45 080 Ships in 18 - 22 working days

In Craftsmen and Jewelers in the Middle and Lower Danube Region (6th to 7th Centuries) Daniela Tanase examines the practice of metalworking with the aim of comparing the archaeological evidence of different peoples in the Middle and Lower Danube in the Early Middle Ages, with a particular focus on blacksmithing, goldsmithing and burial customs. Evidence suggests that the distinction between these specialties was quite fluid, so blacksmiths could craft jewelery, while jewelers were able to create tools and weapons. The study also reveals how the production process and the main techniques employed by craftsmen for the ornamentation of dress and accessories were subject to multiple influences, from Byzantium, the eastern steppe, and the Merovingian kingdoms.

How To Make Handmade Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Handmade Jewelry (Hardcover): Howexpert, Genny Wilson How To Make Handmade Jewelry - Your Step By Step Guide To Making Handmade Jewelry (Hardcover)
Howexpert, Genny Wilson
R753 Discovery Miles 7 530 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
Advanced Jewellery CAD Modelling in Rhino (Paperback): Jack Meyer Advanced Jewellery CAD Modelling in Rhino (Paperback)
Jack Meyer
R719 Discovery Miles 7 190 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

This detailed guide is written for intermediate and experienced Rhino 3D CAD users who wish to improve their understanding of NURBS and subdivision modelling methods in Rhino 3D. It explains how 3D modelling applies to jewellery and manufacturing through a combination of step-by-step tutorials, analysis of the software techniques and demonstrations of real world case studies. Packed with essential techniques and strategies, it can be used as a self-learning tool or a classroom text to take your use of Rhino's 3D NURBS and subdivision modelling tools to a higher level. This new book gives a comprehensive and fluid strategic approach to modelling solids, surfaces and subdivision objects in Rhino. The application of jewellery manufacturing tolerances across a range of different jewellery types is covered. The essential tools and holistic strategy of Rhino's SubD organic modelling suite, and how it fits within the greater scheme of Rhino modelling is discussed. Finally, there is an overview of useful practices for creating good CAD renders using Rhino Cycles.

How to Make Hemp Earrings - A Quick Guide on Hemp Jewelry Knotting for Earrings (Hardcover): Howexpert, Robyn McComb How to Make Hemp Earrings - A Quick Guide on Hemp Jewelry Knotting for Earrings (Hardcover)
Howexpert, Robyn McComb
R724 Discovery Miles 7 240 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry - A Guide to History, People, and Terms (Hardcover): Paula A. Baxter, Allison... Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry - A Guide to History, People, and Terms (Hardcover)
Paula A. Baxter, Allison Bird-Romero
R2,717 Discovery Miles 27 170 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This new guide is the first to explore all facets of Native American jewelry--its history, variety, and quality--in one convenient resource. With coverage beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, this resource includes artists, techniques, materials, motifs, and more. The encyclopedia opens with helpful introductory essay to acquaint the reader with the subject. More than 350 entries and over 80 photos make this new encyclopedia and exceptional value.

Jewelry (Latest Edition) (Hardcover, Reprint ed.): Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry (Latest Edition) (Hardcover, Reprint ed.)
Hutton Wilkinson; Photographs by Stephanie Hanchett; Foreword by Glenda Bailey
R1,828 Discovery Miles 18 280 Ships in 18 - 22 working days
Understanding Jewellery: The 20th Century (Hardcover): Daniela Mascetti, David Bennett Understanding Jewellery: The 20th Century (Hardcover)
Daniela Mascetti, David Bennett
R1,464 Discovery Miles 14 640 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

"Understanding Jewellery is a love letter to glorious pieces from the last hundred years." -M. J. Rose, The Adventurine "An enjoyably scholarly romp through the past and a feast for the eyes for the novice and the consummate jewelry fan and collector."-Beth Bernstein, Forbes "A must-have coffee table book for jewellery aficionados..." -Elisa Vallata, Departures International "As with stocks, education is the way to begin. There are many excellent books on the jewelry market, but start with Understanding Jewellery, the industry bible by two former Sotheby's jewelry executives, David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti." -Bloomberg Understanding Jewellery, by authors David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, is often described as the must-have jewellery book of our time - a 'Bible' in the jewellery trade. First published in 1989, it has remained in print ever since, amassing a loyal following of devotees who admire its detailed information and stunning imagery. In this new work, Bennett and Mascetti have taken the original concept of Understanding Jewellery a stage further. Now, with the benefit of 20 years of hindsight, they have concentrated on the 20th century alone by conducting a detailed survey of each decade, identifying the key players, trends and movements. The book is an encyclopedic history of the various forms, techniques and materials employed by the companies and individuals who defined jewellery in the 20th century. Most significantly, this book includes a new set of photographs, which make Understanding Jewellery: The Twentieth Century one of the most dazzling, absorbing and varied collections of jewellery images ever assembled in a book. This large format hardback volume is a perfect gift for all lovers of jewellery and the definitive guide for those who desire a deeper understanding of the subject.

Vintage Rolex - The Largest Collection in the World (Hardcover): David Silver of The Vintage Watch Company Vintage Rolex - The Largest Collection in the World (Hardcover)
David Silver of The Vintage Watch Company 1
R1,620 R864 Discovery Miles 8 640 Save R756 (47%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

For more than a century, Rolex has stood apart as the most legendary brand of watch in the world. A Rolex conveys many things: a luxury timepiece, a tool of power for movers and shakers and the symbol of passage into adulthood. New labels pop up, styles come and go, but the brand at the top never changes. Ever the record setter-the Daytona that had belonged to Paul Newman was auctioned by Phillips in New York in October 2017 for $17.8 million- it comes as no surprise that Rolex is the most collected watch brand in the world. The Vintage Watch Company is the only store of its kind in the world, with a devoted client base of devoted Rolex aficionados, from royalty to sporting legends to stars of the silver screen. Throughout, father and son, John and David Silver have been carefully cataloguing and amassing one of the largest pictorial records of vintage Rolex watches in the world. Published to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary in late 2020, the book contains a unique pictorial collection of vintage Rolex watches that have passed through the shop during the past 25 years. More than 1800 watches have been photographed and are described in detail in the book. From early Rolex pocket watches to the world's first wristwatches, elegant in their simplicity yet revolutionary in their impact, to the very first Submariners, iconic Daytonas and jewel-encrusted Crown Collections, the mesmerizing archive of vintage timepieces charts the extraordinary rise of an extraordinary brand. Choose from the First Rolex Submariner, later coined the James Bond, or the Early GMT-Master made for Pan Am transatlantic pilots. Read about the First Explorers made famous by the 1953 Everest Expedition or the later Explorer II worn by Steve McQueen. Marvel at Early Vintage collections, from the Officer's Pocket Watch to the Ladies' Diamond; from the Oyster and the Stella & Stone collections, to the Sport Collection. This book is a perfect gift for all lovers of luxury retail as well as passionate collectors of Rolex watches who will want to read about the models they own.

The Jeweller's Directory of Gemstones (Paperback): Judith Crowe The Jeweller's Directory of Gemstones (Paperback)
Judith Crowe
R587 R538 Discovery Miles 5 380 Save R49 (8%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

A complete guide to identifying, buying, using and caring for a dazzling array of jewels. A complete reference for goldsmiths, collectors, and jewellery makers, this beautiful book is a comprehensive guide to identifying, buying, using and caring for a dazzling array of jewels and gems. The book includes practical advice on how to assess the quality, rarity, grade, durability, and cut of precious and semi-precious stones, and allows you to discover the origins of gemstones and understand the process of selecting the raw material. Learn how gems are calibrated, using the industry standard measurements of carats and points, and how they can be treated to improve both colour and clarity - a handy glossary contains all of the key terminology you need to know. Thanks to colourful illustrations and photographs, you can identify which gemstones are suitable for jewellery-making, from amethysts and diamonds to tourmaline and quartz, and learn how they can be used in different designs and settings.

Women Jewellery Designers (Hardcover): Juliet Weir-de La Rochefoucauld Women Jewellery Designers (Hardcover)
Juliet Weir-de La Rochefoucauld
R1,114 Discovery Miles 11 140 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

"...here's eye candy on every page of the book." - Natural Diamonds This sumptuous book showcases the work of women jewellers in the 20th century. Beginning with Arts & Crafts jewellers in Britain, Europe and North America, the author then examines the key figures and movements of the pre-war period including Coco Chanel's legendary 'Bijoux de Diamants' exhibition of 1932, the designs of Suzanne Belperron and the roles of Jeanne Toussaint at Cartier and Renee Puissant at Van Cleef & Arpels. From the 1950s to the present day, a wide range of international designers are examined in detail with many examples of their work clearly illustrated. The author focuses on themes associated with jewellery, including colour, light, proportion, nature and legends. Among the many names included are Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube (designer for Georg Jensen), Margaret De Patta, Wendy Ramshaw, Angela Cummings, Paloma Picasso, Marina B, Lydia Courteille and Michelle Ong. Jewellery firms include: Boivin, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Jensen, Tiffany & Co. Designers featured: Alma Pihl, Coco Chanel, Suzanne Belperron, Juliette Moutard, Olga Tritt, Elisabeth Treskow, Margaret de Patta, Jeanne Toussaint, Line Vautrin, Margret Craver, Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, Nanna Ditzel, Marianne Ostier, Barbara Anton, Gerda Floeckinger, Astrid Fog, Cornelia Roethel, Catherine Noll, Angela Cummings, Elsa Peretti, Wendy Ramshaw, Marina B, Marie-Caroline de Brosses, Marilyn Cooperman, Paloma Picasso, Victoire de Castellane, Alexandra Mor, Ornella Iannuzzi, Neha Dani, Paula Crevoshay, Nathalie Castro, Claire Choisne, Bina Goenka, Carla Amorim, Monique Pean, Michelle Ong - Carnet, Kara Ross, Lydia Courteille, Suzanne Syz, Sylvie Corbelin, Kaoru Kay Akihara - Gimel, Katey Brunini, Luz Camino, Cindy Chao, Aida Bergsen, Anna Hu, Barbara Heinrich, Jacqueline Cullen, Cynthia Bach.

Wartski: The First One Hundred and Fifty Years (Hardcover): Geoffrey C. Munn Wartski: The First One Hundred and Fifty Years (Hardcover)
Geoffrey C. Munn
R1,940 R1,508 Discovery Miles 15 080 Save R432 (22%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Edith Sitwell, Margot Fonteyn, Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, Barbra Streisand and Vivienne Westwood are just a few of the luminaries who have visited Wartski's showrooms, lured by a dazzling array of gems, jewellery, goldsmiths' work and the famous Faberge collection.Geoffrey Munn, managing director of Wartski, tells the remarkable story of how the firm rose from humble beginnings in Bangor, North Wales, to become jewellers to six generations of the British Royal family and famous throughout the world. The lively text of Wartski: The First Hundred and Fifty Years will be a source of deep fascination to all enthusiasts of jewellery, European royalty, Faberge and, in particular, celebrities from every walk of life.

The Art of the Anglo-Saxon Goldsmith - Fine Metalwork in Anglo-Saxon England: its Practice and Practitioners (Hardcover):... The Art of the Anglo-Saxon Goldsmith - Fine Metalwork in Anglo-Saxon England: its Practice and Practitioners (Hardcover)
Elizabeth Coatsworth, Michael Pinder
R3,306 Discovery Miles 33 060 Ships in 18 - 22 working days

Goldsmiths' products examined, combining discussion of object with analysis of inscription and design, and literary and archaeological evidence for smiths and their work. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, goldsmiths produced work of a high standard in both design and craftsmanship, both for personal adornment, and to embellish bookbindings, reliquaries, vessels and weapons. Some works are well known, particularly the magnificent gold and garnet regalia from Sutton Hoo, but this represents only a fraction even of the surviving work, and much more has been lost. This book is the first to look at the goldsmiths' products through the eyes of both a specialist in the period and a practical craftsman, combining close examination of the surface and structure of the objects with analysis of inscriptions and evidence for design, and with literary and visualsources of evidence for smiths and their work. Archaeological and documentary evidence for workshops, tools and working processes is also assessed, and up-to-date technical information on materials and techniques is juxtaposed with new practical research to throw light on manufacturing and decorative processes, and, more widely, to give a fresh idea of the position of the goldsmith in his society. Dr ELIZABETH COATSWORTH is Senior Lecturer inthe Department of History of Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University; Dr MICHAEL PINDER is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Landscape and 3DD, at the same university.

Sustainable Luxury and Jewelry (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2021): Ivan Coste-Maniere, Miguel Angel Gardetti Sustainable Luxury and Jewelry (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2021)
Ivan Coste-Maniere, Miguel Angel Gardetti
R3,806 Discovery Miles 38 060 Ships in 18 - 22 working days

This book discusses the current trends in luxury and jewelry and presents how to make these sustainable for a better future. In the age of sustainability, we increasingly see how designers and consumers begin to think beyond a product's look&feel and operation, and are especially concerned about what has happened during its manufacturing process and what will happen once its useful life comes to an end. Today, consumers value that every industrial product and process should be sustainable, beneficial for the people, the economy and the planet, and so is the case for jewelry.

The Lewis Collection of Gems and Rings in the Possession of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge - With an Introductory Essay on... The Lewis Collection of Gems and Rings in the Possession of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge - With an Introductory Essay on Ancient Gems (Paperback)
J. Henry Middleton
R693 Discovery Miles 6 930 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Containing an introductory essay on ancient gems, J. H. Middleton's work of 1892 catalogues the extensive and fascinating collection of engraved gems at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Middleton, who was a Professor of Fine Art and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, describes how the collection was acquired by the Reverend S. S. Lewis on his frequent visits to Italy, Greece and more distant Oriental countries. The catalogue demonstrates that the gems are more remarkable for their interesting subjects than for any exceptional beauty as works of art. The reader is shown how the gems represent important works of Greek sculpture, present examples of the work of Italian Renaissance artists, and illustrate myths and rituals of ancient times. The book will be of interest to students of glyptic art, and anyone interested in classical learning, the development of Christianity and the Renaissance of classical art.

The Engraved Gems of Classical Times - With a Catalogue of the Gems in the Fitzwilliam Museum (Paperback): J. Henry Middleton The Engraved Gems of Classical Times - With a Catalogue of the Gems in the Fitzwilliam Museum (Paperback)
J. Henry Middleton
R849 Discovery Miles 8 490 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This monograph on classical engraved gems, which also contains a catalogue of the collection then held by the Fitzwilliam Museum, was published in 1891. J. Henry Middleton (1846 1896) was at the time the Director of the Museum and Slade Professor of Fine Art in Cambridge. His intention was to provide an introductory volume for students of archaeology which both traced the history of the use of engraved gemstones as seals and signets from Babylonian to classical times, described the techniques used to create these miniature works of art, and gave catalogue definitions, enhanced by photographic plates, of the Fitzwilliam collection, which had for the most part been donated by Colonel W. M. Leake (1777 1860), whose antiquarian interests had been aroused when he was sent to the eastern Mediterranean to assist the Turkish army against the French in the early nineteenth century.

Faberge - Romance to Revolution (Hardcover): Kieran McCarthy, Hanne Faurby Faberge - Romance to Revolution (Hardcover)
Kieran McCarthy, Hanne Faurby; Foreword by Tristram Hunt; Contributions by Caroline De Guitat, Anna Ferrari, …
R1,005 Discovery Miles 10 050 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The name Faberge has long been a byword for luxury. Combining an entrepreneurial vision for craftsmanship with innovative material sourcing and technical ability, Carl Faberge created an astonishing array of bespoke jewelled and enamelled objects at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. This beautifully illustrated book explores the history and legacy of the House of Faberge, from its origins in Russia - and its role in the glamorous world of the Romanovs - to global recognition. Much of the story is familiar, but less well known is the important part played by the London branch. Opened in 1903, and the only one outside Russia, it became a choice destination for Edwardian high society and an international clientele. Featuring over 120 pieces, from delicate flowers to Imperial Easter eggs, and with contributions from leading experts Faberge: Romance to Revolution celebrates the enduring fascination with this master craftsman's works.

The Great African Bangle Culture (Paperback): The Great African Bangle Culture (Paperback)
R493 R452 Discovery Miles 4 520 Save R41 (8%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

From the Preface When I first went to Africa in the 1960s, I was bowled over by African art. What really got under my skin were the bangles, principally the bronze bangles from West and Central Africa. They were tactile, weighty and full of design and form. Later, when I lived in Ghana and Togo, I built up my own collection of bangles. In recent years this collection was seen by past and present curators of the British Museum and I was encouraged to work up the expertise to comment on and possibly help classify the Museum's collection of African bangles. They recognised that they have thousands of these bangles lying mostly untouched and unloved because they could not be given a story, a context, a meaning. They were so enthusiastic and helpful that I secured introductions to many major museums around the world, to study their substantial and interesting collections. Museums in Europe and on the East and West Coasts of the United States gave me access to the rich material they had accumulated. I had the rare privilege of spending days in their storerooms in the course of which I could see and compare many thousands of bangles. The curators who accompanied me in the inspection of their bangles were aware that these beautiful artefacts had lain undisturbed because they could not be explained or set in a wider context. The bangles were attractive but seldom came with a meaningful provenance. To their great credit, these highly-qualified specialists would listen enthusiastically as my wife and I noted bangles which we had encountered elsewhere. Seeing all these bangles and thus, over time, gradually building up a picture of their types, uses and probable areas of origin, I began to realise that I was looking at a decorative culture which was self-generated, wholly unlike the decorative cultures of the rest of the world. It was unique. Astonishingly, it was to be found in almost every inhabited part of the vast semi-continental area of sub-Saharan Africa. Gold and silver were of little consequence. Copper was their "precious metal". The style - instantly recognisable - was chunky, solid, weighty. Rarity was not a concern; the Eurasians' "precious stones" were unknown. Rings had no great meaning. It was bangles that were the standard means of conveying status, attraction and readiness for marriage. Most importantly, as I read the stories of explorers and the later accounts of African life in the 19th and 20th centuries while I worked through the museums' storerooms, it became clear to me, that for centuries, the bangle had been the one and only defining material culture shared by all Africans south of the Sahara. At last, an overall picture was emerging and there was now a chance of describing it before it was too late. The bangle culture that had unified Africans, through which and in which they had lived much of their lives, was fading fast. In their heartland of West and Central Africa the tactile bronze bangles that everyone wore in the 19th century - and which I saw occasionally in northern Ghana in the 1980s - were now encountered more in museums than on the bodies of inhabitants of those regions. This book will follow the art-historical practice of using "bronze" to describe all forms of copper alloys, including brass, when the composition is not directly relevant and retain "copper" for occasions when the pure metal is being discussed. "Bangle" will be used as the generic term for all forms of jewellery applied to the human body. This bangle culture is still an unselfconscious part of daily life in a few isolated African tribes and used quite naturally to send messages. But, in a few decades, this bangle culture will survive only in less traditional forms and only in limited areas in East and Southern Africa. At its height, it was an admirable system of great importance to social intercourse, replete with significance, great beauty and craftsmanship. It deserves to be recorded and I will try to do this in this book. I will set out why this bangle culture was so different from anything else in the world; the skill with which the bangles were made; and how the bangle culture spread throughout all Africa south of the Sahara; I will have to admit that the industrial world and its products have led to the Eurasian hierarchy of gold and silver overtaking bronze in Africa and, indeed, eliminating it as a "precious metal". But I will end on a note of hope, that there are indications that the sense of solidity of form and the respect for copper that was evident in classical African bangles may still live on among African Americans.

Free Delivery
Pinterest Twitter Facebook Google+
You may like...
Maximizing Information System…
Semir Ibrahimovi, Lejla Turulja, … Hardcover R3,529 Discovery Miles 35 290
Boosting Collaborative Networks 4.0…
Luis M. Camarinha-Matos, Hamideh Afsarmanesh, … Hardcover R4,142 Discovery Miles 41 420
Pervasive Computing for Business…
Hardcover R4,569 Discovery Miles 45 690
Smart Technologies for Smart Governments…
Manuel Pedro Rodriguez-Bolivar Hardcover R3,952 Discovery Miles 39 520
Island In The Sun
Katie Fforde Paperback R395 R353 Discovery Miles 3 530
Digital Access and E-Government…
Peter Mazebe II Mothataesi Sebina, Kgomotso H. Moahi, … Hardcover R4,951 Discovery Miles 49 510
Forex Trading #2020 - Best Swing & Day…
Ryan Miles Hardcover R565 Discovery Miles 5 650
Clinical Assessment of Child and…
Randy W. Kamphaus Paperback R1,539 Discovery Miles 15 390
Die verdwyning van Mina Afrika
Zuretha Roos Paperback R315 Discovery Miles 3 150
Repression, Integrity and Practical…
G Jaeger Hardcover R1,390 Discovery Miles 13 900

 

Partners