Jewellery in Context
is the doctoral dissertation, edited by Theo Smeets in its first
English translation, by the Dutch art historian and design critic Marjan
Unger (1946-2018). In this work she initially endeavours to formulate a
general definition of jewellery. Yet above all she also analyses to
what extent jewellery is associated, across the globe, with different,
sometimes contrary issues: all human fears, but also desires, have, in a
sense, materialised as objects of adornment, she postulates. This
comprehensive approach aimed not least at developing a solid theoretical
framework to aid the study of jewellery. Thus the text can already be
seen as an outright standard reference work, indispensable for all
students of jewellery. However, experts, too, will discover new
perspectives on the phenomenon of jewellery.


Contents:

Foreword
- Theorems; 1. Introduction; 2. Definitions and classifications; 3. Art
history as foundation for the study of jewellery; 4. Man as measure; 5.
Angles from other disciplines; 6. Symbolism in jewellery; 7.
Evaluation; 8. Conclusion.