This second volume of a multi-volume series on the Gbysels collection -- probably the most comprehensive and beautiful collection of ethnic jewelry in the world -- presents nearly 800 extraordinary objects, most of which have never been shown to the public before, coming from Africa, Asia and America. Since time immemorial, earrings have been a means of seduction for women. Craftsmen the world over have set their imaginations to work, using every available material. Firstly they used flowers and grass, feathers and horns, wood, shells, and ivory. Mines and alluvional deposits offered stones and metals. Bold travellers and adventurous sailors set off in search of exotic goods. Their symbolism is also rich and complex: for the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya, a person's prestige is measured by the number of ear ornaments, as long as their lobes can stand without tearing. Statues of Buddha show him with long ears. In the archipelagos of Indonesia, the suitor's family offers earrings to seal an alliance. Leather earrings with pearls are a sign of a married woman's status for Masai. In the Philippines and among the Naga headhunters, the men's hunting exploits and prowess as warriors are embodied in the jewellery theywear on their ears.

A selection of rings from the Ghysels collection and a complete monography about the different tipologies, shapes, materials and functions of rings in the history and culture of different peoples and countries in the world.

“There is really no better indicator you’re a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened.” This is the type of insight Melanie Shankle offers in this quirky memoir of motherhood. Written in the familiar, stream-of-consciousness style of her blog, Big Mama, Sparkly Green Earrings is a heartwarming and hilarious look at motherhood from someone who is still trying to figure it all out. Filled with personal stories—from the decision to become a mother to the heartbreak of miscarriage and ultimately, to the joy of raising a baby and living to tell about it—Sparkly Green Earrings will make you feel like you’re sitting across the table from your best friend. A must-read for anyone who’s ever had a child or even thought about it.

"The Ghysels collection of ethnic jewellery is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive. It is the culmination of a passionate quest of over forty years for aesthetic beauty and authenticity. As such, it represents an invaluable repository of research, taste and discernment. We enthusiastically pursue our journey through the twists and turns of the Ghysels' wealth of adornments. After having explored the universe of rings and earrings in two prior books in this series, we now have the pleasure of discovering the universe of bracelets. These mainly unpublished bracelets - about 1200 of them - have been chosen piece by piece with great love and exquisite taste. They form a group of exceptional quality that displays a great variety of forms." "Just as with rings and earrings, bracelets and anklets punctuate the phases of one's life. Small rings, which tinkle with the least movement, preserve children from evil sprits in the Near East. All self-respecting Jewish brides from Sana'a wear several pairs of bracelets with gossamer filigree. In order to ensure abundant progeny, a Bengal bride will be given a bracelet made from a shell. A flat ivory bracelet rewards a Sudanese elephant hunter of the Dinka tribe for his bravery. And, when undertaking their final journey, both men and women surround themselves one last time with bracelets, such as the jade ones found in Chinese tombs." "The author guides us on a continent-by-continent tour, explaining the historic and cultural contexts in which these ethnic bracelets originated. Captions inform us of materials, dimensions and uses. A glossary of technical terms, maps and an index round off the descriptive information."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Throughout this book the author endeavours to unravel the intricate uses of the necklaces of Africa, Asia, Oceania and America, describing their materials, and emphasizes the originality of artisans who have enriched a cultural patrimony long threatened by extinction.

I want them. I need them. I love them. Beautiful earrings. Glorious earrings. What will a young girl do to get her ears pierced? Will she walk the dog for a year? YES! Will she clean her room every day for a year? YES! Will she be nice to her brother for a year? YES! Well, maybe for six months...

Earrings can talk-of mourning a dead king, supporting a revolution, or resisting an emperor. They have carried the message that a proper Victorian believed in Darwin, and that a woman invited a lover to her bed. Raid the jewelry boxes of the glamorous, legendary, and everyday chic women alike. See what earrings they have worn, when, and why, in ways that bespeak their way of life and personality, and how jewelry carries family and cultural heritage with style. Looking at earrings as tiny sculptures, here are details about gems, settings, and fixtures. Lavishly embellished with over 300 images of jewelry ranging from the Byzantine era to the contemporary artisan, the styles of design, relationships to dress, portraiture and symbolism, and other aspects of adornment are elaborated upon. With research-based anecdotes and her own life in earrings, the author tells a story that will engage anyone interested in celebrities, monarchies, and the barely recorded lives of women of the past, and, of course, anyone who loves beautiful jewelry.