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500 Silver Jewelry Designs: The Powerful Allure of a Precious Metal
This new addition to the 500 gallery-book series presents an outstanding and visually diverse collection of handmade silver art jewelry by both established and emerging international designers. From time-honored forging of cuffs and chokers to cutting-edge brooches and rings, silver's beauty is fully revealed in a range of techniques, styles, and forms that will delight readers. 500 Silver Jewelry Designs will inspire jewelers and crafters of all media, and makes a gorgeous and delightful gift book for women -- and men -- who dream of wearing the world's finest jewelry creations.
420 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 28, 2011
Ugly is the new pretty, I see.
While there are some innovative and striking designs contained within, for the most part I was dismayed at the bleak ugliness of this jewelry. Many of the pieces struck me as far too arch, far too self-conscious, but mostly just not aesthetically pleasing. Maybe I'm too old for art jewelry now.
The lovely pieces were exquisite. They were just, to my eye, so terribly few and far between.
While there are some innovative and striking designs contained within, for the most part I was dismayed at the bleak ugliness of this jewelry. Many of the pieces struck me as far too arch, far too self-conscious, but mostly just not aesthetically pleasing. Maybe I'm too old for art jewelry now.
The lovely pieces were exquisite. They were just, to my eye, so terribly few and far between.
June 19, 2021
As a budding jewelry designer, I love looking through Lark's 500 Series of art jewelry books for inspiration. This one, was a bit different, though. I was dismayed that most of the pieces weren't identified as what type of jewelry it was (ring, brooch, necklace) although assumed that perhaps the lack of label was to cause one to think about each piece a bit more. Still, though, I wanted to know what the artist's end use was because they were, presumably, making to sell in the end. Also—another reviewer mentioned this—so much ugliness. Maybe one could say "organic" but much non-representational and often lumpy, blacked, abstract, formless. Modern, eh? I don't know but the range was disturbingly narrow. I was a bit disappointed in this volume.
October 10, 2013
For anyone who wears silver jewelry, or has created jewelry out of silver, you know how utilitarian yet beautiful it is. The color of silver can be worn up or down, dressy or casual, with lots of colored gems or beads or all by itself. If you are interested in designing silver pieces or viewing some truly terrific designs, 500 Silver Jewelry Designs would certainly give ideas.
500 Silver Jewelry Designs is a compilation of 500 different jewelry pieces representing different forms, or method of manufacturer, of sterling or fine silver: Oxidized; Forged; Soldered; Riveted; Cast; Hollow constructed; Hand engraved; Repoussé; Hammered; Plated; Pierced; and Enameled.
All the pieces show that silver can out shine gold or other precious metals when worked with creativity. Some pieces are modern, some are natural and earthy, and some are challenging to view simply because of the intricate piecings or structure of the piece.
Memorable Pieces: There were three that stood out for me:
•Brooch by Anastasia Azure, "Double Indemnity" (2009) is made of fine silver, sterling silver, nylon monofilament, pearls, quadruple-cloth loom-woven structure, fabricated, oxidized. The weaving goes in and out with pearls peeking out from the sides with a larger pearl in the center. The finished size is 8x8x2.5 cm.
•Cufflinks by Sandrine Vieira, "Untitled" (2009) is made of silver with paper and pencil. Literally. The model shows how to where them, and his shirt is closed at the wrist with a tiny book and pencil, which would be a perfect custom give to bibliophiles.
•Braille arm ornaments by Pavel Herynek, "Two Arm Ornaments" (1996) consists of two unique arm ornaments with Braille inscriptions. With no other details or translation of what is written in Braille, the viewer can only guess and imagine what they both say, and if they are to be read while holding both sides at the same time in a close embrace.
While many of the pieces here may not be prêt-à-porter, so to speak, all bring to focus of what the allure was to silver in the first place, and what drew all the designers, fabricators, and artists, to this one metal. There are many different forms to this metal, and 500 Silver Jewelry Designs showcases each separately on a page. Recommended reading for any jewelry designer looking for inspiration.
500 Silver Jewelry Designs is a compilation of 500 different jewelry pieces representing different forms, or method of manufacturer, of sterling or fine silver: Oxidized; Forged; Soldered; Riveted; Cast; Hollow constructed; Hand engraved; Repoussé; Hammered; Plated; Pierced; and Enameled.
All the pieces show that silver can out shine gold or other precious metals when worked with creativity. Some pieces are modern, some are natural and earthy, and some are challenging to view simply because of the intricate piecings or structure of the piece.
Memorable Pieces: There were three that stood out for me:
•Brooch by Anastasia Azure, "Double Indemnity" (2009) is made of fine silver, sterling silver, nylon monofilament, pearls, quadruple-cloth loom-woven structure, fabricated, oxidized. The weaving goes in and out with pearls peeking out from the sides with a larger pearl in the center. The finished size is 8x8x2.5 cm.
•Cufflinks by Sandrine Vieira, "Untitled" (2009) is made of silver with paper and pencil. Literally. The model shows how to where them, and his shirt is closed at the wrist with a tiny book and pencil, which would be a perfect custom give to bibliophiles.
•Braille arm ornaments by Pavel Herynek, "Two Arm Ornaments" (1996) consists of two unique arm ornaments with Braille inscriptions. With no other details or translation of what is written in Braille, the viewer can only guess and imagine what they both say, and if they are to be read while holding both sides at the same time in a close embrace.
While many of the pieces here may not be prêt-à-porter, so to speak, all bring to focus of what the allure was to silver in the first place, and what drew all the designers, fabricators, and artists, to this one metal. There are many different forms to this metal, and 500 Silver Jewelry Designs showcases each separately on a page. Recommended reading for any jewelry designer looking for inspiration.
May 11, 2012
500 Silver Jewelry Designs: The Powerful Allure of a Precious Metal (500 Series)is, as the title reveals, one of Lark's "500 Series". I don't know about you but these books have helped me through many a design drought...
The Lark "500 Series" if you aren't already aware of them, are brilliantly curated books that showcase some of the most incredible artisans in the field. Each bares the unique viewpoint of the person that juries the work in it along with the editing genius of Marthe LeVan. The juror in this issue is Israel born, Talya Baharal - who, like so many took her first Jewelry Design class at the 92nd Street "Y" in NYC. Known for her sculptural style Talya is, for the most part self-taught and has had exhibits throughout the country and was written up in Metalsmith magazine.
These will be the books that will service as a reference library for appraisers decades down the road --- they are the only thorough look at Art Jewelry in the 20th & 21st Centuries.
This particular edition is great in that it encompasses all forms of design as long as the piece is silver...and the range is amazing!
From the subtle sexy movement of Loretta Tryon's "Satin Curve Cuff" chosen for the Title Page with her feature on page 415 to the insanely intricate work of Vina Rust, whose work is featured twice...pg. 46 "Eastern Cottonwood Defense" and pg. 181 "Stained Cell Series: Equisetum Bracelet".
With this addition to the 500 Series Lark once again provides maximum color photos of amazing jewelry at a very economic price - these books run around the $25 - 30 price point. Worth EVERY penny!
The Lark "500 Series" if you aren't already aware of them, are brilliantly curated books that showcase some of the most incredible artisans in the field. Each bares the unique viewpoint of the person that juries the work in it along with the editing genius of Marthe LeVan. The juror in this issue is Israel born, Talya Baharal - who, like so many took her first Jewelry Design class at the 92nd Street "Y" in NYC. Known for her sculptural style Talya is, for the most part self-taught and has had exhibits throughout the country and was written up in Metalsmith magazine.
These will be the books that will service as a reference library for appraisers decades down the road --- they are the only thorough look at Art Jewelry in the 20th & 21st Centuries.
This particular edition is great in that it encompasses all forms of design as long as the piece is silver...and the range is amazing!
From the subtle sexy movement of Loretta Tryon's "Satin Curve Cuff" chosen for the Title Page with her feature on page 415 to the insanely intricate work of Vina Rust, whose work is featured twice...pg. 46 "Eastern Cottonwood Defense" and pg. 181 "Stained Cell Series: Equisetum Bracelet".
With this addition to the 500 Series Lark once again provides maximum color photos of amazing jewelry at a very economic price - these books run around the $25 - 30 price point. Worth EVERY penny!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews