 On
the Costumer’s Bookshelf
The
Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry by Francis Borel
The Splendor
of Ethnic Jewelry by Francis Borel, photographs by John
Bigelow Taylor. Henry Abrams, Inc, New York, 1994. ISBN # 0-8109-4453-7
For the reader
or researcher interested in ethnic jewelry, this sumptuous coffee
table book is worth every penny of its rather steep price.
Filled
with over 400 large color photographs of exquisite museum-quality
pieces, this book is, without a doubt, an excellent visual
resource for anyone interested in ethnic jewelry. However,
it is the thoughtful text, which is as once scholarly and
yet easy to read, which enhances the images and transcends
the coffee table look.
Grouped regionally,
this book works like a caravan, sliding across the globe region
by region. The stunning images of the jewelry clearly illustrate
the stylistic shifts, borrowings and similarities between different
cultural groups. A casual flip through the book reveals that
even far flung tribal groups produce pieces that are strikingly
similar in materials, techniques and aesthetics.
This book is
a good investment for any dancer who is building a library of
ethnographic resources. For tribal dancers, it can supply a host
of interesting ideas and directions for acquiring distinctive
and unique pieces from regions other than the Middle East. For
dancers interested in history, tribal pieces represent a connection
with the past. These cultures continue to use centuries old construction
practices relying on traditional aesthetics.
Those folks
who are interested in engaging in further research, the book
includes an extensive bibliography that, unfortunately, references
works in German and French. The index in the back is a good reference
tool that can help you quickly find pieces throughout the book.
All in all,
this is a well-organized and informative book, well worth its
hefty price tag. Check it out next time you visit your favorite
bookstore. You might have space on your bookshelf!
Ready
for more?
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Woman, Sacred Dance" review by Rhonda Stengl
Special
Master Class Weekend with Amina Goodyear and Jacques al Asmar, by Leyla
Lanty
Armando's
Drumming Dazzles the Dancer by
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In a tiny bikini, I'd dive into a lighted pool outside the
restaurant, and come up with a pearl in my mouth!
5-3-01 Fouad
Marzouk, Interview by Amina Goodyear
I remember at first feeling intimidated dancing to one of Soheir Zaki's
musicians. |
