The Fascination of Jewelry

A comprehensive monograph on 7000 years of jewelry history

• 370 exemplary objects showcase the evolution of jewelry and are explained in short, informative texts

• An essay by Beatriz Chadour-Samson completes the catalog, delving into thesocial, societal, emotional and symbolic aspects of jewelry

This outstanding jewelry collection of the Cologne Museum of Applied Arts (MAKK) will be showcased for the first time in a dedicated exhibition. Featuring cross-epochal and cross-cultural themes, the exhibition successfully presents diverse approaches to the art of jewelry-making. The photographs of around 370 objects and the accompanying descriptions demonstrate just how multifaceted jewelry design is. The social, societal, emotional, and symbolic aspects of jewelry are also evaluated and discussed in an essay by Beatriz Chadour-Sampson. The MAKK’s jewelry collection of around 1,600 works spans a period of 7,000 years: from ancient oriental gems from the 5th millennium BC to contemporary jewelry. This is what makes this collection so unique and diverse.

Edition: Bilingual (Text in English and German)