"No gemstone can rival the pearl for mystery and subtle beauty. A naturally perfect jewel that requires no cutting or polishing, the pearl ranks both as one of humanity's oldest ornaments and as one of its deepest obsessions. Sultans launched conquests in search of such booty, priests made the gem a sacred icon, and artists celebrated its purity and eroticism. Indeed, few have escaped the elusive charm of the pearl's luminescence, which has inspired human awe and desire for more than 4,000 years." "Pearls: Ornament and Obsession, an exhaustively researched chronicle filled with fascinating anecdotes and rare archival material, follows the pearl's progression through human history. From the vibrant but now almost extinct pearl beds of the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the South Seas to the bustling Pacific Rim pearl farms, the never-ending saga of the pearl unfolds. And peopled by an eclectic and international gallery of pearly personages, this tale includes Cleopatra, Marco Polo, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Napoleon, Georges Bizet, Kokichi Mikimoto, Coco Chanel, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Jacques Cartier, Erte, Empress Dowager Ts'u Hsi of China, and Princess Diana of Wales, among many others." "The first book of its kind to be published in more than eighty-five years, Pearls: Ornament and Obsession illuminates the ancient and extensive lore and annals of this iridescent bead, which has been manifested in the beliefs, customs, arts, and history of almost every culture up through the twentieth century. In a single lush volume overflowing with scores of stunning color illustrations, the pearl's spiritual, scientific, social, commercial, decorative, and aesthetic qualities come to life. The vivid pages and extensive text reveal that the pearl's role as coveted ornament and classic fashion element is but one of its many facets. Extraordinary in its ability to inspire human passions, the pearl has cast its spell far beyond the jeweler's world." "A lavish art book, an unsurpassed reference, and an enduring gift volume, Pearls: Ornament and Obsession, is a work of vast scope. It stands as a timeless testament to one of humankind's most magnificent preoccupations."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved