Jewels from Imperial St. Petersburg - Tapa dura

Unlike most books about jewelry this actually shows a multitude of portraits of reigning monarchs, mostly male, but including four empresses. The crowd is mostly good looking, covered in a swath of silk, brocade and fur, and decked out in their finest examples of tiaras, chains and earrings. The jewelry is what could be called the regal period, hallmarked by enormous pearls, diamonds and amethysts, and tiaras including concoctions of diamonds, in the earlier (pre platinum) period set in silver and occasionally 'en tremblant' (trembles with the wearer s movements). --Metal Arts Guild" One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is the variety of photographs historical portraits and paintings as well as recent shots of jewelry discussed." --Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist" While lavishly illustrated, the commentary is equally interesting, not just for collectors but for anyone who wants to fill in the blanks of old Russian history, particularly the connection with Finland and Sweden. --Crafthaus"

Russian jewelry has its own special allure and is highly appreciated the world over. This book not only offers a fascinating range of jewels and objects d'art crafted in St. Petersburg, beginning with the reigns of the empresses Elizabeth and Catherine the Great and ending in 1917 with that of Nicholas II, it is also intertwined with captivating personal history. It describes the development of style and design within the art of the St. Petersburg goldsmith, putting it into historical context. Many of the pieces discussed come from private collections in Finland and Sweden, each with a unique provenance happily preserved in anecdotes, letters, diaries, historical documents, and photographs.