WELCOME!

The American Society of Jewelry Historians thanks all our members for making 2009 a successful year, with increased programming and three excellent newsletters. Please consider giving the gift of membership for the holiday season, or making a donation to the Society as part of your seasonal giving. We thank the Toback-Galicki Family for their generous sponsorship this year and appeal to the companies and individuals who value the Society to show their support through sponsorships and individual donations. Please contact ASJH President Reema Keswani for more information about sponsoring 2010 programs at info@jewelryhistorians.org.

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Recent ASJH Member Event

The History of Bulgari and an Exhibition in the Making

Thursday, December 10, 2009 : Amanda Triossi, world-renowned author, historian, and lecturer, spoke winningly about her adventures curating the 125th anniversary exhibition in Rome for the venerable firm of Bulgari, which included more than 500 exemplary pieces of Bulgari jewelry. Amanda shared highlights of her two year project, from the hunt for vintage works to the celebrities she met to the contemporary necklace from the exhibition that was just sold at auction by Bulgari to benefit Save the Children.
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Symposium: History in the Making: Jewelry After Modernism
November 20, Brooklyn Museum

ASJH presented a day-long symposium at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Featured speakers included Patricia Kiley Faber, Janet Zapata, Jane Adlin and Deana Farneti Cera. In addition, museum curator Barry Harwood gave guided tours to attendees through the Art Smith show currently on view at the museum and we visited the Brooklyn Museum’s hot new exhibition “Who Shot Rock n Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present”.   A delicious catered lunch was enjoyed by all.
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Understanding the Intricacies of French and Russian Hallmarks

A lecture by Bill Whetstone & Danusia Niklewicz, October 1, 2009, 6PM, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City

France and Russia are two of the most important jewelry and collectible objet - producing countries in the world, with some of the most widely recognized, yet frequently misinterpreted hallmarks on antique jewelry and precious metal articles. There is far more to French and Russian hallmarks than meets the eye. Important information is often overlooked, incorrectly identified, or just simply misunderstood. Through dynamic visuals, Bill Whetstone and Danusia Niklewicz's presentation will explain the complexities of both French and Russian hallmarks from the nineteenth century to date. Whetstone and Niklewicz will also offer a short update of the changing face of global hallmarking.

The team of Whetstone and Niklewicz are passionate lecturers who enthusiastically share information with all jewelry historians, whether new to the study or seasoned professionals.

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Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Thirty members of ASJH met for a private evening tour of the archaeological treasures curated in this superb exhibition, which originated in Paris and has traveled extensively. Our guide, Karen Rubinson, provided wonderful insight on the mix of styles and cultures that characterized the Silk Road, here focused on objects from Egypt to near the border of China, across Afghanistan. The gold treasures from the Tillya Tepe tombs were a highlight of the tour.

This special event took place on Friday, September 11, 2009.