Art of Adornment

The Collection provides an unrivalled resource for the study of Islamic jewellery, with nearly 600 catalogued pieces in gold, silver and copper alloys, of all periods from the 7th to the 20th centuries and from throughout the Islamic world Spain to Malaysia, and Africa to the Eurasian steppes. Various sectors of production and clienteles are represented, from the court to bespoke jewellery to the urban marketplace. The jewellery also illustrates a correspondingly wide range of techniques and materials, including all the main methods of working gold, silver and copper alloys and their decoration especially filigree, niello, enamel and the setting of gems. Inevitably some periods, areas and techniques are better represented than others, but overall the Collection is remarkably comprehensive and in some areas, such as the Fatimid filigree, is among the finest in the world.^ This two-part volume includes virtually every form of personal adornment head, hair and headdress ornaments; earrings; nose rings; finger rings; pendants; beads; necklaces; bracelets, armlets and anklets; armband elements; amulets and amulet cases; pins and brooches; buttons; belts and belt fittings as well as harn