Jewellery 1900–76
A survey of 20th century jewellery from the Pforzheim Jewellery Museum, Pforzheim, Germany
Free entry
NGV International
Ground Level
21 Jun 78 – 23 Jul 78
This is an exhibition of 170 pieces of jewellery from the Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim, West Germany. Pforzheim has been a centre of jewellery-making since the eighteenth century. Today it is both a jewellery factory centre as well as continuing to house the most important jewellery and silversmithing school in Germany.
Appropriately enough, Pforzheim has its own museum of jewellery whose policy is to collect jewellery from all ages and countries. The 20th century part of this collection, which forms this exhibition, has been described by Graham Hughes of the Goldsmith’s Hall London as ‘one of the best modern groups anywhere’.
The exhibition begins in 1900 with approximately 42 pieces (mainly French and German) in the Art Nouveau style. There are only 8 works, (5 German, 3 French) representing the twenties and thirties and there is no work from the was and post war periods.
The modern or contemporary collection dates from 1961 and includes 119 pieces. It is a unique and classic collection of contemporary European jewellery including works by Pomidoro, Marinazzi, Pinton, Persson, Becker, Reiling. The younger generation is represented by Bury, Cepka and Von Skal to name a few.
Sourced from: Exhibition press release