Articles

Gerd Rothmann, Die Goldene Nase Nosepiece, 1988, cast from Lois Boardman's nose, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Lois and Bob Boardman (M.2013.221.28), © Gerd Rothmann, photo © Museum Associates / LACMA. The German expression “eine goldene Nase Verdienen," which translates directly as “to earn a golden nose,” means to make a small fortune or to make a killing, and that is the meaning behind this piece.

Radical Adornment

When collector Lois Boardman wore her gold nosepiece, by German jeweler Gerd Rothmann, to the supermarket, customers averted their gaze. It was strange and, she supposed, may have appeared to be a prosthetic. The piece was not a false appendage. It was made using an impression of Boardman’s real nose taken with the help of […]

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Lois Boardman

Lois Boardman entered eternity in Pasadena, CA, on April 21, 2025. There is little doubt that she planned to accompany Pope Francis, wearing her Gold Nose, cast by Gerd Rothmann, and adorned by Nancy Worden’s necklace titled Gilding the Past. Like the dinner gatherings of historical persons in Van Loon’s Lives, her presence would have

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Renee Bevan, Hug Collector, 2013, brooch in sterling silver, Velcro dot, ⅝ inch (15 mm) in diameter, photo: Caryline Boreham

On Offer

May 2025, Part 2 Right now, we all could use a treat. It feels good to get a terrific piece of art jewelry for ourselves while celebrating and supporting artists and the galleries who show them! Art Jewelry Forum’s international gallery supporters celebrate and exhibit art jewelry. Our bi-monthly On Offer series allows this extensive network of international galleries to showcase

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Ted Noten, The Sweetest Piece I Ever Made Vol. 2, 2023, necklace in 24-karat gold, diamonds, cast in acrylic (PMMA), 18-karat gold connections, 9.5 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches (240 x 150 x 16 mm), photo courtesy of Ornamentum

On Offer

May 2025, Part 1 Right now, we all could use a treat. It feels good to get a terrific piece of art jewelry for ourselves while celebrating and supporting artists and the galleries who show them! Art Jewelry Forum’s international gallery supporters celebrate and exhibit art jewelry. Our bi-monthly On Offer series allows this extensive network of international galleries to

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Have You Heard

May 2025, Part 1 AJF is pleased to share the news about our community. Is something missing? The success of this compilation of compelling events, news, and items of interest to the jewelry community depends on your participation. If you’re a member of AJF at the Silver level or above, you can add news and

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Coral Comb, 1865, tortoiseshell, coral, photo: @Museo Poldi Pezzoli. The comb is made of tortoiseshell and is adorned with a garland of flowers and fruit made of coral. It is part of an evening set that also contains a coral necklace, bracelet, and earrings. It was made by jewelers from Torre del Greco, a town in the province of Naples, where this material is still worked.

Ancient Jewels and Unique Goldsmithing Masterpieces

Ancient necklaces, rings that enclose secrets, hairpins, gold belts, and inlaid bracelets: these are just some of the jewels preserved at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, in Milan. It stands in the neighborhood called “Fashion Quadrilateral,” where the major couture designers have their showrooms. It is easy, therefore, to understand how these masterpieces of goldsmithing from

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Shelley Norton, Brick, 2009, brooches in reconstituted plastic shopping bags, foam, sterling silver, photo: Caroline Palmer. Cape by Luisa Eber

Aotearoa Jewelers Mixed It Up with Munich Fashion Students

For me, one of the standout shows at this year’s Munich Jewelry Week was Goodness, a collaboration between jewelers from Aotearoa New Zealand and students from the Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode, the city’s school for fashion design. Twenty-six pieces of jewelry were displayed on a collection of capes hand made from natural calico by a

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Have You Heard

April 2025, Part 2 Art Jewelry Forum is pleased to share the news that members of our community find noteworthy. Is something missing? The success of this compilation of compelling events, news, and items of interest to the jewelry community depends on YOUR participation. If you’re a member of AJF at the Silver level or

Have You Heard Read More »

Lin Cheung, Delayed Reactions—Crystal Clear, 2018, brooch in rock crystal, 18-karat gold, 2 ¼ x ⅜ inches (56 x 9 mm), photo: artist

On Offer

April 2025, Part 2 In this moment, things are … highly weird (that’s putting it lightly) … and we all could use a treat. It feels good to get a terrific piece of art jewelry for ourselves while celebrating and supporting artists and the galleries who show them! Art Jewelry Forum’s international gallery supporters celebrate and exhibit art jewelry.

On Offer Read More »

Márcia Cirne, Untitled, 2024, ring in cast brass, oxidized, bobbin lace ball (wood, paint), 1 ⅜ x ⅝ x ⅝ inches (35 x 15 x 15 mm), photo: Arnaldo Pappalardo

On Offer

April 2025, Part 1 These days, we all could use a treat. It feels good to get a terrific piece of art jewelry for ourselves while celebrating and supporting artists and the galleries who show them! Art Jewelry Forum’s international gallery supporters celebrate and exhibit art jewelry. Our bi-monthly On Offer series allows this extensive network of international galleries

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Forging the Future

Shaun Leane may be best known for the dangerous-looking pieces he designed for fashion maverick Alexander McQueen in the 90s Leane was a judge on the BBC series All That Glitters (2021–2022) He left his financially struggling brand in 2024 We talk with some of the emerging talents he encouraged Thorny silver stems that twist

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