Book Description

* The illustrated work and biographies of 25 key British jewelers, including Stuart Devlin, Elizabeth Gage, Joseph Kutchinsky and Gerda Flöckinger* Focuses on an era that changed the direction of British jewelry design and placed British designers on the global stage* Foreword by Lord Snowdon, a long time exponent and advocate of British design, and whose parents were leading supporters of innovative jewelry design in the 1960s and '70s* An introductory guide for collectors and students, professionals and enthusiastsIn the 1960s, British jewelry underwent a revolution. Natural, uncut stones exploded into vogue and a 1961 exhibition at the Goldsmith's Hall kickstarted the nation's new obsession with gold. The women who shopped at Quant's Bazaar and Hulaniki's Biba no longer just received jewelry as gifts. They placed their own orders, exploring Grima's drizzled gold and Flockinger's fused metallic experimentations; John Donald's textured gold cubes and the House of Munsteiner's curious new gem cuts. This was an era of innovation - captured here through insights into the work of 25 major jewelers and sumptuous pictures of their work. This book introduces the most influential British designers, jewelers, goldsmiths and silversmiths of 1960-1980. Tracing the evolution of style across these decades, Modern British Jewellery Designers reveals the designers' inspirations and the identifying signatures of their work. Accompanied by new photography showing each designer's creations, this is the perfect introduction for anyone with an interest in collecting, or learning more about this transformative period in British jewelry design.