Designers and Jewellery 1850-1940: Jewellery and Metalwork from the Fitzwilliam Museum

A glittering display of the Fitzwilliam Museum’s finest pieces of jewellery and metalwork from the 1850s to 1940

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2018
Publisher: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd

The Fitzwilliam Museum, located at the University of Cambridge, boasts an impressive collection of jewelry and metalwork from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This remarkable era of design spans the neo-Gothic and historicist styles of the mid- to late nineteenth century, the pioneering work of British Arts and Crafts designers, the graceful curves influenced by the European Art Nouveau movement, and the structural modernity of the 1930s. The collection features jewelry crafted by some of the most renowned historicist designers, including the Castellani and Giuliano families, John Brogden, and William Burges. Additionally, it houses a magnificent decanter by Burges. Notable pieces of jewelry and silver are attributed to the most famous Arts and Crafts designers, such as C.R. Ashbee, Henry Wilson, Gilbert Marks, and John Paul Cooper.

Unique pieces designed by the artist Charles Ricketts hold a special place in the history of queer art in Britain, as they were created for his friends Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, known collectively as Michael Field. Modernist silver is represented by leaders of the field, Omar Ramsden and H.G. Murphy. This beautifully illustrated volume showcases 70 of the Museums most significant pieces from this period, many of which have been unpublished previously. Importantly, the book is organized chronologically by designer, featuring biographies, descriptions of their work, and commentary on the specific pieces in the Museums collection.

The Fitzwilliam Museum's exceptional holdings of jewelry and metalwork from this highly popular and fruitful period are brought together for the first time in this comprehensive book. It provides a captivating glimpse into the artistic achievements of this era and showcases the Museums remarkable collection.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 245 x 198 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781300671