The Secrets and Stories of the World's Most Storied Jewels - Christie's: The Jewellery Archives Revealed
Christie's: The Jewellery Archives Revealed - A Book Review
If you are a fan of dazzling jewels and fascinating stories, you will love this book by Vincent Meylan. Christie's: The Jewellery Archives Revealed is a treasure trove of information and images that reveal the secrets behind some of the world's most storied jewels. From royal crowns and tiaras to movie star necklaces and rings, this book takes you on a journey through the archives of Christie's, the celebrated auctioneers.
Christie's: The Jewellery Archives Revealed downloads torrent
What is the book about?
The book is a compilation of stories and documents from the archives of Christie's, which have been accessed by the author with full permission. The book covers more than 250 years of history and showcases some of the most famous (and sometimes notorious) names and jewels that have passed through Christie's auctions. The book reveals the romance, drama, intrigue, and even danger that are attached to these magnificent pieces of art.
Who is the author?
Vincent Meylan is a French journalist and historian who specializes in jewelry and precious stones. He has written several books on the subject, such as Boucheron: The Secret Archives, Van Cleef & Arpels: Treasures and Legends, and Mellerio: Jewellers to the Queens of Europe. He is also a regular contributor to magazines such as Point de Vue and Vogue.
Why is the book important?
The book is important because it offers a rare glimpse into the hidden world of jewelry collectors and connoisseurs. It also reveals how jewelry can reflect the social, political, and cultural changes that have shaped our world. The book also showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of some of the most renowned jewelers in history, such as Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, and Bulgari.
What are some of the highlights of the book?
The book is full of fascinating stories and stunning images that will captivate any reader. Here are some of the highlights of the book:
The British royal family jewels
The book traces the history of some of the most iconic jewels that have belonged to the British royal family, from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II. The book also reveals how some of these jewels have been sold at Christie's auctions over the years.
The Princess of Wales's jewels
The first auction of jewelry from the British royal family took place at Christie's in 1773, after the death of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, mother of George III. Among her jewels were a pair of diamond earrings that had belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was beheaded in 1587. These earrings were later sold again at Christie's in 2006 for 423,000.
Princess Margaret's jewels
Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, was known for her glamorous and flamboyant style. She had a remarkable collection of jewels, some of which were inherited from her grandmother, Queen Mary, and some of which were gifts from her husband, Lord Snowdon. In 2006, after her death, her jewels were sold at Christie's for a total of 31 million, setting a new record for a single-owner jewelry sale. Some of the highlights were a diamond riviere necklace that had belonged to Marie Antoinette, a ruby and diamond necklace and earrings by Cartier, and a pearl and diamond tiara by Garrard.
The French royal and imperial jewels
The book also explores the fate of some of the most magnificent jewels that have adorned the French royalty and nobility, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III. Many of these jewels were lost or dispersed during the French Revolution and the subsequent wars and upheavals. However, some of them resurfaced at Christie's auctions over the years.
Marie Antoinette's jewels
Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the revolution, was famous for her lavish and extravagant taste in jewelry. She had amassed a huge collection of pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, some of which were gifts from her husband, Louis XVI, and some of which were purchased with her own funds. However, as the revolution broke out, she had to flee from the palace and entrusted some of her jewels to a loyal friend, who smuggled them out of France. These jewels remained hidden for more than 200 years, until they were discovered by Christie's experts in 2018. They were sold at Christie's in Geneva for a staggering 53.1 million, breaking several world records.
Empress Eugenie's jewels
Empress Eugenie was the wife of Napoleon III, the last emperor of France. She was a fashion icon and a patron of the arts, who influenced the style and taste of her era. She had a splendid collection of jewels, many of which were designed by her favorite jeweler, Boucheron. However, after the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, she had to flee to England with her husband and son. She sold some of her jewels at Christie's in London in 1872, and some more in 1887. Some of the highlights were a diamond tiara by Boucheron, a pearl and diamond necklace by Chaumet, and a sapphire and diamond brooch by Mellerio.
The Hollywood starlets' jewels
The book also features some of the most dazzling jewels that have belonged to Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Merle Oberon, Gloria Swanson, and Marlene Dietrich. These jewels reflect their personalities and careers, as well as their love affairs and marriages.
Elizabeth Taylor's jewels
Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most famous and beautiful actresses of all time. She was also an avid collector and lover of jewelry. She had an extraordinary collection of jewels, some of which were gifts from her husbands (especially Richard Burton), some of which were bought by herself, and some of which were awards or souvenirs from her movies. In 2011, after her death, her jewels were sold at Christie's in New York for a record-breaking $156 million. Some of the highlights were the 33-carat Krupp diamond ring, the 69-carat Burton-Taylor diamond pendant, the La Peregrina pearl necklace by Cartier, and the Taj Mahal diamond pendant.
Merle Oberon's jewels
Merle Oberon was a British actress who rose to fame in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. She was known for her exotic beauty and elegance. She had a remarkable collection of jewels, some of which were gifts from her lovers (such as Alexander Korda and David Niven), some of which were bought by herself (such as a ruby and diamond bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels), and some of which were worn in her movies (such as a diamond tiara by Harry Winston). In 1980, after her death, her jewels were sold at Christie's in London for 2.8 million.
How to download the book?
If you are interested in reading this book and admiring its stunning illustrations, you can download it online from various sources. Here are some advantages and steps to download the book:
The advantages of downloading the book
You can save money by downloading the book instead of buying a hardcover copy.
You can save space by storing the book on your device instead of on your shelf.
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