Sotheby’s is preparing to open ‘The Jewelry Book: An A to Z Exhibition’ this evening, a jewelry exhibition presented with Phaidon in New York to mark the launch of the celebrated art publisher’s latest jewelry tome, The Jewelry Book. Curated in partnership with the book’s editor, Melanie Grant; luxury editor, curator and former executive director of the Responsible Jewelry Council; the show is a celebration of high jewelry in 50 pieces from independent jewelry designers and established houses, all of whom are featured in the book itself.
The exhibition brings to life the latest in a Phaidon series presenting a survey of a particular art form, joining existing volumes The Art Book, The Fashion Book and The Photography Book on bookshelves around the world. “It is an honor to curate a living rendition from such a seminal work as The Jewelry Book—a project that took three years to complete and reflects the contributions of a host of advisors, experts, and writers,” writes Grant. “Spanning over 200 years, the book—and exhibition—reveal the transformative power of jewelry through creativity, ultimately to freedom.”
Masterpieces from contemporary designers like Taffin, Jacqueline Rabun, Hemmerle and Bina Goenka will be show in New York, as well as representative pieces from heritage houses like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and David Webb. The public will be able to purchase selected jewels from the show in person, and also via Sotheby’s online marketplace.
Grant has already worked with Sotheby’s on several projects, including the Brilliant & Black exhibitions in 2020 and 2022, groundbreaking showcases which provided a previously non-existant platform for Black jewelers in the luxury world. “Sotheby’s is thrilled to partner with Melanie Grant on another exciting project,” writes Frank Everett, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman of Jewelry. “The Jewelry Book is the long overdue and highly anticipated addition to Phaidon’s iconic series, and Melanie brings to it her own special perspective on the jewelry world.”
Phaidon, which also published Grant’s 2020 jewelry book Coveted, is considered to be the world’s leading art and creative publisher. The Jewelry Book charts the past 200 years of jewelry history spotlighting 300 houses, designers, collectors and tastemakers who have helped shape the industry. From Paris to New York, household names like Cartier, Chanel and Tiffany & Co. feature along with the Maori jade carver Joel Marsters and Native American jewelry artists Gail Bird and Yazzie Johnson, in a book that celebrates the effervescence of Erykah Badu’s jewelry choices alongside Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ restrained elegance.
According to Deb Aaronson, publisher of Phaidon, “for 100 years, Phaidon has published the world’s most important art books. With the publication of The Jewelry Book by Melanie Grant, we celebrate the art of jewelry as never before. We are grateful to Sotheby’s for hosting an exhibition bringing this important book to life.”
An opening reception will be held at Sotheby’s New York, 1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, Wednesday September 10, 6pm-8pm. The public exhibition will be open until September 21.