The triumphant result of more than 35 years of research, this sumptuous book is a comprehensive presentation of one of the greatest of the world's jewelry traditions. The stunning display of individual ornaments is supplemented by full documentation of hundreds of pieces. More than 5,000 years of the development of personal ornament are traced, as major themes, variations on basic forms, the use of gemstones, and cross-cultural influences are analysed and comprehensively illustrated. Alongside form and technique, the influences of myth and religion, social structure, economics and politics illuminate the context in which jewelry of exquisite beauty and great originality has been created.
Far more than merely a display of wealth and taste, jewelry is an integral element in the lives of the people of India. Drawing on more than 35 years of collecting and research, Untracht surveys the major Indian jewelry forms and techniques, exploring Indian jewelry as both an ongoing aesthetic spanning 5,000 years and a highly significant form of cultural expression. 870 illustrations, 220 in color.
