THIS BOOK IS A CELEBRATION OF SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST INTRIGUING AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS: THE CROWNS, SCEPTRES, ORBS, JEWELS AND EMBLEMS OF THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF EUROPE.

Jewels play an important symbolic role. At the courts of Europe, where dynasties were closely interrelated for centuries, they were signs of status, wealth and power. The strict rules for wearing them are evidence of sophisticated codes, in Portugal and in Sweden, in the United Kingdom and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Brilliant Europe evokes more than 800 years of the history of jewelry in Europe. The 230 selected jewels and works of art are outstanding both in their exceptional quality and in their relevance to the social and cultural history of Europe. Many of them belonged to people who made a significant contribution to European history or to the development of European thought.

"This sumptuously illustrated book surveys the wealth, power, and prestige of 800 years of European monarchies in the form of the jewels that hung around their necks, were sewn into their clothing, and dripped from their fingers - often into the waiting hands of favored courtiers." "Beginning with the weighty, gem-encrusted gold crowns of medieval kings and ending with the glittering diamond tiaras of the princesses of the Belle Epoque, Royal. Jewels shows the exquisite range of gems worn by Europe's fabled monarchs." "Illustrated with exceptional photographs of the jewels themselves, as well as with evocative period paintings and vintage photographs of bejeweled monarchs and their families, Royal Jewels is the first book to gather together this unparalleled collection of jewelry - outstanding both in its quality and relevance to the social and cultural history of Europe and the Western world. The book will appeal to any lover of jewelry, fashion, or history."--BOOK JACKET.