Jewellery in the Age of Modernism 1918-1940: Adornment and Beyond

Description

Why has jewellery and body adornment often been marginalized in studies of modernist art and design? This study explores the relationship between jewellery, modernism and modernity from the 'jazz age' to the second world war in order to challenge the view that these portable art forms have only a minor role to play in histories of modernism. From the masterworks of the Parisian jewellery houses to the film and photography of Man Ray, this study seeks to present jewellery in a new light, where issues of representation and display are considered to be as important in the creation of a modern 'jewellery culture' as the objects themselves. Drawing on material from museums, archives, contemporary journals, memoirs, literary and theoretical texts, this study shows how the emergence of modern jewellery began to seriously question conventional notions of body adornment.

Simon Bliss is Senior Lecturer, College of Arts and Humanities, University of Brighton, UK.

Jewellery in the Age of Modernism, 1918-1940 is an important and fascinating book that makes a major contribution to cultural history. By analyzing jewelry in relation to the culture of modernism, Simon Bliss has unearthed a wealth of material and opened up an exciting new field of inquiry * Dr. Valerie Steele, Editor in Chief and Director, The Museum at FIT, USA * This well-researched book excitingly shows how wide cultural forces were at work in affecting the way jewellery was worn and consumed in the 1920's and 1930's, influencing all types of jewellery at various levels of the market. The author has a stimulating and nuanced approach to issues on modernist jewellery design, bringing new material to the interpretation of a period which heralded the contemporary culture of jewellery design and culture. * Elizabeth Fischer, Dean of Fashion, Jewelry and Accessory Design, HEAD - Geneve School of Art and Design, Switzerland *