Books Christmas 2024
Solange Azagury Partridge 'Jewellery for Chromantics'
Dive into the rainbow-bright world of Solange Azagury Partridge with her latest book, cleverly titled 'Jewellery for Chromantics'. The acid green cover with neon pink lettering gives an idea of what's to come. Page after page reveals the colour-saturated, irreverent world of Solange, from interiors to family photos and, of course, fabulously bright jewels alongside inspirations such as Medussa or the stained glass windows of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and women who wear them. These include fashion maven Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore and Thandie Newton.
Always original and authentic to her passion for jewels, the texts were written by Solange and the jewellery historian Ruth Peltason, with a foreword by Clare Phillips, curator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A must for lovers of colour and jewels, or those seeking an immersion into the brilliant universe of Solange.
Carol Woolton 'If Jewels Could Talk Seven Secret Histories'
'If Jewels Could Talk Seven Secret Histories' by Carol Woolton takes us on a whirlwind tour around the world and through time, identifying the seven key jewels that link us all, wherever we may be. By pinpointing the seven jewels—hoops, rings, beads, charms, brooches, cuffs, and head ornaments—Woolton examines these pieces' historical and cultural significance and how they have transcended time and place.
Woolton comments: "Whatever time of the earth's history you were born onto this planet, whatever culture or civilisation you were born into, we all essentially wear the same things. While we remain social creatures, jewellery will always provide something for us to hold onto. This book is an acknowledgement of that need."
Woolton illustrates the theme by looking at Viking silver torques, Imperial jade from China, Roman cameo carving, Hindu wedding jewellery, tiaras, and piercings. The result is a fascinating perspective into a subject that touches on many aspects of mankind's history and our enduring fascination with jewellery.
Balance Tasaki's 70th Anniversary book by Maria Doulton
The book is named 'Balance' in honour of Tasaki's best-selling jewels. Written by jewellery expert and author Maria Doulton, it begins in the pearl farms of southern Japan as at the heart of Tasaki's story is a deep connection to the sea and a profound respect for Nature that guides each design.
From humble pearl farmers to jewellery collections for the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and cutting-edge collaborations with designers such as Melanie Georgacopoulos and Japanese manga artists, Doulton explores the fascinating story behind this leading Japanese luxury house.
Balance, the house's groundbreaking 2010 collection, is based on a ring composed of a row of five pearls set on a plain gold bar. This collection pays tribute to the first five pearls discovered by Shunsaku Tasaki, founder of the company.
Chaumet's 'Photographers' Gaze' offers a photographic perspective of the jeweller's work, shot by leading names in the photography pantheon. The images span from 1934 to 2020 and include dramatic, avant-garde shots by the likes of Henry Clarke, Guy Bourdin, Bettina Rheims and Richard Burbridge. Chaumet commissioned Karim Savli and Elisabeta Porodina to create a series of its most famous designs for the book that highlight the house's unique vision. The book offers a compelling prism on changing photography styles in key campaigns that capture the aesthetic power of the Maison's jewels.
Travelling further back in time to the early 20th century, a final section looks at the early days of photography with an anthology of precious glass plates, offering a wide overview of photography's key role in Chaumet's history.
Annabel Davidson 'The World of David Morris'
The latest book dedicated to London jeweller David Morris gives us a tantalising glimpse into the workings, inspirations, and stories that have made the 60-year-old family firm stand out in the world of high jewellery. Billed as 'a living, breathing family portrait,' Jeremy Morris and his daughters Phoebe and Cecily share their experiences in this rarefied, high-value universe and showcase some of the most beautiful jewels they have created.
Phoebe Morris, the Special Projects Coordinator who oversaw the book, says it offers "a window into David Morris as it is today. The World of David Morris opens the door to parts of our business that have remained private until now. Our father is a modern-day raconteur, and it has been such a joy working with him to tell his personal stories and those who have worked alongside him for decades."
Show-stopping images of David Morris' one-of-a-kind jewels and fine jewellery are interspersed with anecdotes, collages, shots of the workshop and craftsman, sources of inspiration, and objects that make up the rich universe of David Morris, guided by Jeremy Morris's leadership.
Rachael Taylor Bulgari 'The Story Behind the Style'
Rachael Taylor's 'Bulgari, The Story Behind the Style' is described as 'a stunning, handbag-sized visual history of one of the world's most iconic jewellery designers.' The book neatly fulfils the description with a thorough look at the history of this famous jeweller with its storied flagship on Rome's swanky Via dei Condotti.
Like her previous books on Rolex, Tiffany and Cartier, Taylor delves deep into archives and unearths inspiring photographs and images to bring to life the story of some of the world's most famous luxury brands. From humble beginnings to jeweller of choice to the stars of 'la dolce vita', Taylor tracks designs such as the Serpenti and Tubogas and the women that made Bulgari a powerhouse of Italian style.
'The Story Behind the Style' is a series of unofficial and unauthorised books that open up the fascinating narratives of houses such as Bulgari, in a handy-sized and well-priced book, perfect for under the tree or popping out of the top of a Christmas stocking.
'The Works' is a long overdue homage to Ray Griffiths, the accomplished craftsman and jeweller, and the first book dedicated to his five decades as a designer and jewellery maker. Working at his jewellery bench since age 15, Griffiths has perfected the craft to the extent that the Australian-born Griffiths is considered 'a jeweller's jeweller'. As its name suggests, the book looks at the entirety of Griffiths's work, particularly his signature Crownwork.
The narrative chronicles Griffiths's Australian childhood and his moves to London and New York, where he now resides and runs his eponymous jewellery company. This charming book highlights his iconic designs, including his trademark gold open-work set with vibrant gemstones that beam out from each page.
Nick Foulkes 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner'
The mighty Submariner has finally been the subject of a weighty tome, the first authorised history of this iconic Rolex watch. The 252-page book, 'Oyster Perpetual Submariner–The Watch That Unlocked the Deep', was written by watch expert Nick Foulkes and is the first in a series that will catalogue Rolex's key designs. The book was created in partnership with the multi-media publisher Wallpaper. Bill Prince, Editor-in-Chief of Wallpaper, says: "The Submariner represents the essence of this design-led approach, its emblematic features and quintessential appearance sculpted over decades by those pioneers who led the field in underwater exploration and continue to illuminate our world beneath the waves, many of whom are featured in this richly illustrated book. Meticulously researched and beautifully realised, Oyster Perpetual Submariner–the watch that unlocked the deep is an essential companion for anyone interested in creating and evolving a masterpiece in precision timekeeping."
The Submariner was the first watch guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres, a game-changing technical innovation that firmly put Rolex on the map. This great watch attracted explorers and pioneers who tested the prototypes to their limits. Since then, the Submariner has been associated with outstanding human endeavour, travelling the world on the wrists of sporting legends such as Roger Federer or to the deepest depths of the ocean alongside cinematographer James Cameron, who descended to the Mariana Trench in 2012.
This and many more compelling stories make this book a must for Rolex lovers and adventurers.
