Download or read book Faberge s Eggs written by Toby Faber and published by Random House. This book was released on 2008-10-07 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Stradivari’s Genius, Toby Faber charted the fascinating course of some of the world’s most prized musical instruments. Now, in this enthralling new book, he tells the story of objects that are, to many, the pinnacle of the jeweler’s art: the Fabergé imperial eggs. The Easter presents that Russia’s last two czars gave to their czarinas have become synonymous with privilege, beauty, and an almost provocative uselessness. They are perhaps the most redolent symbols of the old empire’s phenomenal craftsmanship, of the decadence of its court, and of the upheavals that brought about its inevitable downfall. Fabergé’s Eggs is the first book to recount the remarkable story of these masterpieces, taking us from the circumstances that inspired each egg’s design, through their disappearance in the trauma of revolution, to their eventual reemergence in the global marketplace. In 1885, Carl Fabergé created a seemingly plain white egg for Czar Alexander III to give to his beloved wife, Marie Fedorovna. It was the surprises hidden inside that made it special: a diamond miniature of the Imperial crown and a ruby pendant. This gift began a tradition that would last for more than three decades: lavishly extravagant eggs commemorating public events that, in retrospect, seem little more than staging posts on the march to revolution. Above all, the eggs illustrate the attitudes that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Romanovs: their apparent indifference to the poverty that choked their country, their preference for style over substance, and, during the reign of Nicholas II, their all-consuming concern with the health of the czarevitch Alexis, the sickly heir to the throne–a preoccupation that would propel them toward Rasputin and the doom of the dynasty. More than a superb new account of a classic tragedy, Fabergé’s Eggs illuminates some fascinating aspects of twentieth-century history. The eggs’ amazing journey from revolutionary Russia features a cast of characters including embattled Bolsheviks, acquisitive British royals, eccentric artifact salesmen, and such famous business and society figures as Arm and Hammer, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and Malcolm Forbes. Finally, Toby Faber tantalizingly suggests that some of the eggs long thought lost may eventually emerge. Darting from the palaces of a besieged Russia to the showcases of New York’s modern mega-wealthy, Fabergé’s Eggs weaves a story unparalleled in its drama and extravagance. Praise for Stradivari’s Genius “Fascinating . . . lively . . . more enthralling, earthy and illuminating than any fiction could be.” –The New York Times Book Review “A celebration of six instruments and the master craftsman who made them . . . [Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination with Stradivari’s life and trade. . . . He writes with clarity and fluency.” –Chicago Tribune “An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read. Like strange totems that cast an irresistible spell, these instruments bring out the best and the worst of those who would own them, and Faber deftly tells the stories in all their rich and surprising detail.” –Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left Bank “A worthy contribution to the ongoing legend of Stradivari.” –Minneapolis Star Tribune “Fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable.” –Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring

Download or read book Faberge s Eggs written by Toby Faber and published by Pan Macmillan. This book was released on 2009 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: History.

Download or read book Faberg s Eggs the Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces that Outlived an Empire written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Easter presents that Russia's last two czars gave to their czarinas have become synonymous with privilege, beauty, and an almost provocative uselessness. They are perhaps the most redolent symbols of the old empire's phenomenal craftsmanship, of the decadence of its court, and of the upheavals that brought about its inevitable downfall. Faberge's Eggs is the first book to recount the remarkable story of these masterpieces, taking us from the circumstances that inspired each egg's design, through their disappearance in the trauma of revolution, to their eventual reemergence in the global marketplace.

Download or read book Stradivari s Genius written by Toby Faber and published by Random House. This book was released on 2012-05-09 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “’Tis God gives skill, but not without men’s hands: He could not make Antonio Stradivari’s violins without Antonio.” –George Eliot Antonio Stradivari (1644—1737) was a perfectionist whose single-minded pursuit of excellence changed the world of music. In the course of his long career in the northern Italian city of Cremona, he created more than a thousand stringed instruments; approximately six hundred survive. In this fascinating book, Toby Faber traces the rich, multilayered stories of six of these peerless instruments–five violins and a cello–and the one towering artist who brought them into being. Blending history, biography, meticulous detective work, and an abiding passion for music, Faber embarks on an absorbing journey as he follows some of the most prized instruments of all time. Mysteries and unanswered questions proliferate from the outset–starting with the enigma of Antonio Stradivari himself. What made this apparently unsophisticated craftsman so special? Why were his techniques not maintained by his successors? How is it that even two and a half centuries after his death, no one has succeeded in matching the purity, depth, and delicacy of a Stradivarius? In Faber’s illuminating narrative, each of the six fabled instruments becomes a character in its own right–a living entity cherished by artists, bought and sold by princes and plutocrats, coveted, collected, hidden, lost, copied, and occasionally played by a musician whose skill matches its maker’s. Here is the fabulous Viotti, named for the virtuoso who enchanted all Paris in the 1780s, only to fall foul of the French Revolution. Paganini supposedly made a pact with the devil to transform the art of the violin–and by the end of his life he owned eleven Strads. Then there’s the Davidov cello, fashioned in 1712 and lovingly handed down through a succession of celebrated artists until, in the 1980s, it passed into the capable hands of Yo-Yo Ma. From the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, from the breakthroughs of Beethoven’s last quartets to the first phonographic recordings, Faber unfolds a narrative magnificent in its range and brilliant in its detail. “A great violin is alive,” said Yehudi Menuhin of his own Stradivarius. In the pages of this book, Faber invites us to share the life, the passion, the intrigue, and the incomparable beauty of the world’s most marvelous stringed instruments.

Download or read book Carl Faberg Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia written by Abraham Kenneth Snowman and published by Gramercy. This book was released on 1983 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Think Faberge, and what comes to mind are images of fabulous, glittering jewelry, the mystery and allure of Europe's great royal courts and, of course, the magnificent Imperial Easter Eggs made for the Russian Tsars. Carl Faberge was, first and foremost, a goldsmith, and the exquisite objects that came out of the Faberge workshop at its peak represent the ultimate refinement of the goldsmith's art. Each piece was designed with the express purpose of bringing joy to its recipient. Accomplishments of the Faberge workshop were not limited to precious metals and lapidary work. Their enameling techniques consistently attained a subtlety adn brilliance of technique that had rarely been matched elsewhere - the work glows with richly colored enamels used with unrivaled virtuosity.

Download or read book Faber Faber written by Toby Faber and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 2019-04-30 with total page 389 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published to celebrate Faber's 90th anniversary, this is the story of one of the world's greatest publishing houses - a delight for all readers who are curious about the business of writing.'A striking drama.'SUNDAY TIMES'Never less than fascinating.'DAILY TELEGRAPH'This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in twentieth-century literature . . . a treasure trove.'SCOTSMAN'The details here do consistently shine.'NEW YORK TIMES'Ingeniously compiled . . . charming and quirky'EVENING STANDARDTold in its own words, this is the story of one of the world's greatest publishers, capturing the excitement, hopes and fears of the people who published and wrote the books that line our shelves today. Including archive material from T. S. Eliot, Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, P. D. James, Kazuo Ishiguro and Philip Larkin, this is both a vibrant history and a hymn to the role of literature in all our lives.

Download or read book Faberg Eggs written by Susanna Pfeffer and published by Universe Publishing(NY). This book was released on 1990 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The preeminent master goldsmith of turn-of-the-century Russia was Peter Carl Faberge. He is best remembered for extraordinary Easter eggs, breathtakingly crafted of gold, silver, enamel and precious stones. 48 full-color illustrations.

Download or read book Gold written by Shannon L. Kenny and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2011-04-12 with total page 524 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This encyclopedia provides detailed information about the historical, cultural, social, religious, economic, and scientific significance of gold, across the globe and throughout history. Gold has been an intrinsic part of human culture and society throughout the world, both in ancient times and in the modern era. This precious metal has also played a central role in economics and politics throughout history. In fact, the value of gold remains a topic of debate amid the current upheavals of economic conditions and attendant reevaluations of modern financial principles. Gold: A Cultural Encyclopedia consists of more than 130 entries that encompass every aspect of gold, ranging from the ancient metallurgical arts to contemporary economies. The connections between these interdisciplinary subjects are explored and analyzed to highlight the many ways humankind's fascination with gold reflects historical, cultural, economic, and geographic developments. While the majority of the works related to gold focus on economic theory, this text goes beyond that to take a more sociocultural approach to the subject.

Download or read book Multiple Exposure written by Ellen Crosby and published by Severn House Publishers Ltd. This book was released on 2022-02-01 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Russian mafia, illicit oil deals and murder: Photojournalist Sophie Medina is on the case These are the things Sophie Medina will swear to be true about her husband, oil executive and covert CIA operative Nick: He is an honorable, trustworthy, and loyal friend; an American patriot who would die for his country; and a loving husband. He is also - according to his MI6 handler - a murderer. They say the wife is always the last to know. Renowned photojournalist Sophie is used to Nick keeping secrets from her. But when Nick is kidnapped from their London home, only to be spotted in Russia months later, his bosses are convinced he's turned traitor. Russian-born Nick is not the only thing that's vanished - so have top-secret papers about an oil discovery that could destabilize the market and spark war. Sophie trusts Nick, but when she moves back to her hometown of Washington, DC, she's not so sure about his CIA colleagues. Struggling to tell friend from foe, Sophie's drawn deeper into Nick's shadowy world, where Russian mafia rub shoulders with American senators . . . and where death lurks, around every corner. Multiple Exposure, the first mystery featuring photojournalist and female sleuth Sophie Medina, is a gripping blend of international mystery and espionage thriller.

Download or read book Stories in Stone written by Stephen E. Nash and published by University Press of Colorado. This book was released on 2016-07-07 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vasily Konovalenko’s unique, dynamic, and theatrical sculptures stand alone in the gem-carving world—bawdy but not salacious, political but not diplomatic, boisterous and exuberant yet occasionally sensitive. Stories in Stone offers the first comprehensive treatment of the life of this little-known Russian artist and the remarkable history of his wonderful sculptures. Part art catalogue and part life history, Stories in Stone tells the tale of Konovalenko’s impressive works, explaining their conception, creation, and symbolism. Each handcrafted figure depicts a scene from life in the Soviet Union—a bowman hunting snow geese, a woman reposing in a hot spring surrounded by ice, peasants spinning wool, a pair of gulag prisoners sawing lumber—painstakingly rendered in precious stones and metals. The materials used to make the figurines are worth millions of dollars, but as cultural artifacts, the sculptures are priceless. Author Stephen Nash draws upon oral history and archival research to detail the life of their creator, revealing a rags-to-riches and life-imitates-art narrative full of Cold War intrigue, Communist persecution, and capitalist exploitation. Augmented by Richard M. Wicker’s exquisite and revelatory photographs of sixty-five Konovalenko sculptures from museums, state agencies, and private collections around the world, Stories in Stone is a visually stunning glimpse into a unique corner of Russian art and cultural history, the craft and science of gem carving, and the life of a Russian artist and immigrant who loved people everywhere. Co-published with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, home to the most significant collection of Russian gem-carving sculptures by Vasily Konovalenko in the world.

Download or read book Russian Performances written by Julie Buckler and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 357 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Russian Performances is the first volume to bring the field of Russian Studies, broadly conceived, into dialog with the field of Performance Studies. The volume has a guiding vision: to demonstrate the relevance of Performance Studies to the study of Russia, as well as the unique genealogy of Performance Studies in the Russian context, that is, to show both theory and praxis. The contributions to Russian Performances foster larger intellectual communities by showcasing new work in Russian Studies from the disciplines of anthropology, art history, dance studies, film studies, cultural and social history, literary studies, musicology, political science, theater studies, and sociology. The book contains 27 brief essays, each of which analyzes and theorizes a particular instance of performance in Russian culture.

Download or read book From Splendor to Revolution written by Julia P. Gelardi and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2011-02-15 with total page 557 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This sweeping saga recreates the extraordinary opulence and violence of Tsarist Russia as the shadow of revolution fell over the land, and destroyed a way of life for these Imperial women The early 1850s until the late 1920s marked a turbulent and significant era for Russia. During that time the country underwent a massive transformation, taking it from days of grandeur under the tsars to the chaos of revolution and the beginnings of the Soviet Union. At the center of all this tumult were four women of the Romanov dynasty. Marie Alexandrovna and Olga Constantinovna were born into the family, Russian Grand Duchesses at birth. Marie Feodorovna and Marie Pavlovna married into the dynasty, the former born a Princess of Denmark, the latter a Duchess of the German duchy of Mecklendburg-Schwerin. In From Splendor to Revolution, we watch these pampered aristocratic women fight for their lives as the cataclysm of war engulfs them. In a matter of a few short years, they fell from the pinnacle of wealth and power to the depths of danger, poverty, and exile. It is an unforgettable epic story.

Download or read book Surfaces written by Joseph A. Amato and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2013-05-08 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book that interweaves history, anthropology, epistemology, and aesthetics, the author traces the human relationship with surfaces from human evolution up to the contemporary world.

Download or read book Knowledge Visualization and Visual Literacy in Science Education written by Ursyn, Anna and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2016-05-31 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Effective communication within learning environments is a pivotal aspect to students’ success. By enhancing abstract concepts with visual media, students can achieve a higher level of retention and better understand the presented information. Knowledge Visualization and Visual Literacy in Science Education is an authoritative reference source for the latest scholarly research on the implementation of visual images, aids, and graphics in classroom settings and focuses on how these methods stimulate critical thinking in students. Highlighting concepts relating to cognition, communication, and computing, this book is ideally designed for researchers, instructors, academicians, and students.

Download or read book Faberg Eggs written by Will Lowes and published by Scarecrow Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work presents detailed technical descriptions of 66 Faberge eggs, as well as the stories of people involved in their making or presentation.

Download or read book Graphical Thinking for Science and Technology Through Knowledge Visualization written by Ursyn, Anna and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2019-11-22 with total page 374 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the advancement of technology in the modern world, the constant influx of data, information, and computing can become droning and one-dimensional. Re-examining these methods through a different approach helps highlight broader perspectives and further understanding. Applying abstract and holistic methods, such as nature and visualization, to computing technologies is a developing area of study but has yet to be empirically researched. Graphical Thinking for Science and Technology Through Knowledge Visualization provides emerging research exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of implementing visuals and images within data and information. The text contains projects, examples of students’ solutions, and invites the reader to apply graphical thinking. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as nanoscale structures, computer graphics, and data visualization, this book is ideally designed for software engineers, instructional designers, researchers, scientists, artists, marketers, media professionals, and students seeking current research on applying artistic solutions within information and computing.

Download or read book Hoosiers and the American Story written by Madison, James H. and published by Indiana Historical Society. This book was released on 2014-10 with total page 359 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A supplemental textbook for middle and high school students, Hoosiers and the American Story provides intimate views of individuals and places in Indiana set within themes from American history. During the frontier days when Americans battled with and exiled native peoples from the East, Indiana was on the leading edge of America’s westward expansion. As waves of immigrants swept across the Appalachians and eastern waterways, Indiana became established as both a crossroads and as a vital part of Middle America. Indiana’s stories illuminate the history of American agriculture, wars, industrialization, ethnic conflicts, technological improvements, political battles, transportation networks, economic shifts, social welfare initiatives, and more. In so doing, they elucidate large national issues so that students can relate personally to the ideas and events that comprise American history. At the same time, the stories shed light on what it means to be a Hoosier, today and in the past.