Created both for everyday living and for special festivities, the extraordinary objects of adornment displayed here served at once as symbols of wealth, marks of rank and magic talismans. Fashioned from a range of precious and non-precious materials, these are pieces of high aesthetic merit. They come dramatically alive in the photographs in this book when shown adorning the body - their qualities designed to enhance both the dignity and the beauty of their wearers. Other close-up photographs demonstrate the incredible detail and workmanship of the objects. This book reveals in resplendent colours the famous collection of ethnic jewellery initiated by Joseph Mueller and expanded by two generations of his heirs. Now housed in the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, the collection first came to life in the early part of this century, when Mueller found himself captivated by African sculpture, masks, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and other ornaments he saw displayed in the Paris studios of artist friends, among them Picasso. He subsequently travelled all over the world, pursuing his new passion for these living jewels. This book reproduces the finest pieces of jewellery in the collection. Michel Butor is a poet, philosopher and critic as well as an acclaimed novelist. He is a member of the Faculty of Letters at the University of Geneva.