Fauna

A glittering collection of jewelry imitating animals from the nineteenth century to today

The animal kingdom has been a source of inspiration for jewelers since the days of antiquity. Chosen for their symbolism, beauty, or personality, a whole menagerie of creatures has been depicted in дорогоцінних каменів and precious metals, ranging from fantastical dragons, griffins, and sphinxes to wild beasts such as boars and big cats, to the delicate forms of birds, fish, and even insects.

The 130 pieces in this book have been specially selected from the magnificent jewelry collection of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris and include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches by legendary names such as Boucheron, Falize, and Lalique. They stretch from the Renaissance revival of the nineteenth century to the elegant lines of Art Nouveau and beyond, through to the playful naivety of modernist designs by Jean Lurcat and Line Vautrin.