Vijf ontwerpen voor sieraden 18th century

These five jewelry designs were drawn by D.H. Albini and engraved by T. Planes. In this period, prints like this were an essential way for makers to circulate ideas. Jewelers would have used these to stay abreast of the latest fashions, and find inspiration. You can see the appeal: the designs offer a sense of luxury, with their abundant stones, ribbons, and flowing forms. Consider the material implications of such adornment. The gemstones would have been sourced from distant lands, requiring extensive labor to extract and transport. The designs themselves, though appearing spontaneous, would have required meticulous planning and skilled craftsmanship to execute. This print offers us a glimpse into the world of luxury and aspiration, raising questions about labor, trade, and the social significance of adornment. It invites us to consider the value we place on precious materials, and the human effort required to bring them into being.