Jewelry in America

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This is the first book to reveal and document the beauty and importance of the most cherished possessions of Americans. It identifies the most prevalent forms of jewelry worn in America from 1600-1900, whether made in that country or elsewhere, and charts the changes in form, style, materials and techniques, contrasting locally made jewelry with that imported from around the world.By relating jewelry to other forms of decorative art a basis is provided for dating and identification. Contemporary newspapers, business records, literary sources, patent records and family papers document its history. The role played by individual jewelers is discussed and American portraiture is used to show the kind of jewelry favoured in the United States and how it was worn. Most of the 250 colour and 280 black and white plates have never before been published.It is hoped that this lavishly illustrated book, as well as illuminating an important facet of America's history, will unearth many of the significant examples of American jewelry which still lie hidden, unrecognised and unappreciated.