Behind the Brooch: A Closer Look at Backs, Catches, and Pin Stems

The focus of this book is on the side of the brooch that usually isn't noticed: the reverse. When we encounter an attractive piece of jewelry, our instinct is to admire the front, but when we turn it around, it often reveals a secret. The author lets us in on that secret, typically only shared between the maker and the wearer. Clever brooch makers often adorn the back with items meant to complement the front, or the backside may have a unique, intricate design all its own. When you flip a brooch over in your hand you may find a surprise message, a hidden pattern, or even an unlikely foreign implement. The result is a better understanding of the artist's abilities and personality. Now, you can judge for yourself what the 128 artists respresented in this volume had in mind, and, if you are a jewelry maker, you may be inspired to leave your own unique mark.