No comments about Technique of Sculpture (Batsford Craft Paperback).

No comments about Carved History: A Totem Guide to Sitka National Historical Park.

1 comments about Masterpieces of Faberge: Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection.

1. The piece illustrating the cover is the highlight of this incredible collection. It is known as the Lilies of the Valley Basket. The moss is pure spun gold, the basket gold, the flowers are pearls with highlights of diamonds. The entire basket is made up of yellow and green golds, silver, nephrite, pearls, and rose cut diamonds. All the pieces in this collection are gorgeous-- absolutely amazing. This work was a favorite of Czarina Alexandra and was created in 1896.
   
   This 57-piece collection includes three Imperial eggs. The Imperial Caucasus Egg was a gift from Czar Alexander in 1893. The portraits on this egg are covered by magnificant and ornate doors that open up to reveal miniature portraits of the Grand Duke and Abastuman, the Royal Lodge. It was created with yellow and quatre-colored gold, silver, platinum, guilloche enamel, diamonds, pearl, crystal, and ivory. Stunning.
   
   Also included here are the Imperial Danish Palaces Egg which was given to the Czarina by Czar Alexander III. This one is light pink enamel but includes a fold out panel which holds 10 pictures of the royal residences in Denmark and Russia.
   
   The last egg is the Imperial Napoleonic Egg and marked the 100th anniversary of the Russian defeat of Napoleon. Larger than the other eggs, there is a six panel fold out revealing the six regiments and the Dowager Empress as their honorary colonel. The materials used here were gold, enamel, diamonds, platinum, ivory, gouache, velvet, and silk. Exquisite.
   
   There are also several pairs of opera glasses (rose and green gold, tri-color gold, anamel, silver, diamonds), perfume bottles, cigarette cases, trinkets, an inkwell (bowerite, silver, enamel, and glass) and small items of jewelry, such as rings.
   
   The floral works, however, are the most highly admired pieces by historians and there are 18 other floral works in this collection besides the Lilies of the Valley basket. The flowers and leaves are made of carved semi-precious stones and adorned with diamonds and other gems, as well as gold. They are lavish and ornate. The Orange Blossom Spray, for instance, has leaves and petals made of quartzite, olivine, nephrite, rock crystal, with gold stems.
   
   I was fortunate to view this magnificent collection this week and was duly impressed. This 160 page book (catalog, really) is full of beautiful color photos and descriptions of each masterpiece. It also explains the origin of this collection while giving more information about Matilda Geddings Gray.
   
   Matilda Geddings Gray began collecting these works in the 1930s. At different times she was offered an immense amount of money to return these items to Russia. She always declined and the foundation she created has also declined to sell them. They are permanently housed in the New Orleans Museum of Art, but are presently out on loan to a nearby museum.

No comments about Heritage Above: A Tribute to Maine's Tradition of Weather Vanes.

No comments about Buddhist Sculpture of Korea (Korean Culture Series).

No comments about Bill Reid: Beyond the Essential Form (Museum Note, No 19).

1 comments about Rodin.

1. I have a couple of books on Rodin and this is one of the goodones. I mostly enjoyed its photographs, It's inexpensive too.

5 comments about Goldsmithing & Silver Work: Jewelry, Vessels & Ornaments.

1. This, like the other Jewelry books by Codina have great visual content and show interesting techniques. Unlike the others, some of the information is nearly useless to the average studio jeweler. Some chapters are more like Mr. Rogers where you go see how something is made, but you would never make it yourself because of the equipment required.
   Small chapters on Image and Photography were happy little additions.
   Over all the book was more "look how" than "how to" but it's still a nicely put together book at a great price.



2. The book is very interesting and the pictures are descriptive and fun to look at. The book covers many different things like Casting, Silversmithing,Jewelry making and more. Nice and stylish items shown in the book with direction. Very different than many Jewelry books. I am glad that I added this book to my collection.



3. In the herd of recent books, this one distinguishes itself in it's quality of images, concise accurate descriptions and scope.
   This work seems to be the product of much labor, research and maybe even love. I have to hand it Codina, he's the kind of person that should be writing books.
   Among the outstanding pieces represented is a North African bracelet made step by step by two Algerian women. Definitely not the kind of entry you find in many American publications flooded with "art school" drivel from self promoting arrogant twits so prominent in publications today.
   The alternative casting techniques section is a seminar in itself, and just when I thought I new everything!
   Don't get me wrong, there are a few downright ugly pieces, though I can easily overlook them if favor of the splendid work that predominates throughout.
   Telling, is a closing statement where he thanks the contributors and gives a bit of insight into the writing of this fine book.
   If you don't have this publication, then buy it. Trust me on this.



4. I have bought many many books and some I will never open again! Then some I can't keep the pages in they are used so much. This will sure to be one of those this book by Charles Codina is awesome. This book is a RARE find. It is imformative and visually stunning. I suggest not missing out on this one!
   
   Happy jewelry making!
   
   THIS BOOK WAS EDITED BEAUTIFULLY!



5. This book is a favorite of mine. There are many types of smithing to learn in this book. Although the pictures and descriptions are limited somewhat, the book does give enough information to get anyone who works with metal started on any of the work in this book. The pictures are excellent in layout and design. This book not only makes a good instruction book for the metal worker, but it is also an excellent coffee table book as well.

No comments about A guide to Royal Bayreuth figurals,.

No comments about Louise Bourgeois.