Blissful Reading Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry

Mom and I have decided that we would like to start something new here on our blog. Beginning with this post we are going to share with you some of the books that we have looked at or read and enjoyed. These may be novels, collectible guides or decorating inspirations...whatever catches our fancy! These posts will be called Blissful Reading, in keeping with our wish to share Bits of Bliss with all of you!

The book that I am sharing with you today is by Carole Tanenbaum and is called Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry. It is illustrated throughout with truly scrumptious shots of the jewelry by Puzant Apkarian.


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This is a lovely survey of the topic, spanning the last one hundred years in costume jewelry. In this book, Tanenbaum takes you from the Victorian and Art Nouveau movements to modern pieces of the 21st century. In the beginning of each chapter, she introduces the period with background information on the world at that time and highlights the important aspects and characteristics of the period as well as its defining artisans. Throughout, she has picked fantastic pieces to illustrate each era and style and Apkarian has captured them in equally fantastic shots. If you have ever tried to photograph a piece of jewelry you will certainly appreciate his skill.

While I would not recommend this as the sole piece of reference for a serious collector of a particular period, Mom and I do heartily recommend it to anyone who is fascinated by this subject and appreciates beautiful things. This is a beginning point in your reference library on the subject and is a lovely read as well. This book is equally at home on your shelves or your table and can be a real pick-me-up read (or browse) on a dreary day.