Created both for everyday living and for special festivities, the extraordinary objects of adornment displayed here served at once as symbols of wealth, marks of rank and magic talismans. Fashioned from a range of precious and non-precious materials, these are pieces of high aesthetic merit. They come dramatically alive in the photographs in this book when shown adorning the body - their qualities designed to enhance both the dignity and the beauty of their wearers. Other close-up photographs demonstrate the incredible detail and workmanship of the objects. This book reveals in resplendent colours the famous collection of ethnic jewellery initiated by Joseph Mueller and expanded by two generations of his heirs. Now housed in the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, the collection first came to life in the early part of this century, when Mueller found himself captivated by African sculpture, masks, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and other ornaments he saw displayed in the Paris studios of artist friends, among them Picasso. He subsequently travelled all over the world, pursuing his new passion for these living jewels. This book reproduces the finest pieces of jewellery in the collection. Michel Butor is a poet, philosopher and critic as well as an acclaimed novelist. He is a member of the Faculty of Letters at the University of Geneva.

Adornment: Jewelry from Africa, Asia and the Pacific

BUTOR, MICHEL

Ferrazzini, Pierre-Alain

Reference

Thames and Hudson Ltd.

<p>The quality and variety of the Barbier-Mueller collection of ethnic sculpture are astonishing, and only the finest pieces were selected for this all-color, oversize book. These striking pieces came from a vast number of small local cultures, of almost infinite variety, from an enormous expanse of the Old World, more specifically from Africa, Indonesia, especially the tribal areas - today known as Irian Jaya and New Guinea. Due to their ritual use, the rigors of tropical climates and the depradations of missionaries and conquerors, fine pieces have always been a rarity, as they were generally linked to the universal requirements of statehood and religion. Some remarkable pieces, however, did make up part of daily life.</p>

Tribal Sculpture: Masterpieces from Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific in the Barbier-Mueller Museum

Arts & Photography

Newton, Douglas

Collection Barbier-Muller

Waterfield, Hermione

History & Criticism

Vendome Pr

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