Innovation or Mimesis: why we wear jewellery

There are many books about the history of jewellery, mostly ordered by their art-historian context or the cultural niche. Why is this book different and why should we read it? It puts and answers the question: Why do we wear jewellery? What is its meaning and where do we find opportunities to wear it in every days´ life? How can we make a statement with it, enhance our joy of life or overcome difficult situations?

Starting with one of the oldest pieces of jewellery around 75 000 years ago the author and jewellery designer Barbara Schmidt researches the reasons why someone has invented something which supports daily life beyond the struggle of existence. Something completely new came to existence through this wish: Within jewellery we can symbolise our thoughts and desires since then. In prehistoric times there were 14 reasons why to wear jewellery. During époques 11 more reasons added up. A short introduction about the archaeological and ethnological roots leads over to 25 charming short stories all around jewellery.

The 130 pages are illustrated with 31 photographs of international jewellery artists and reflect that a life without jewellery may be possible but rather pointless.


Text in English

e-book 5,49 €