"The animal kingdom has long been a source of inspiration for jewelers since the days of antiquity. Chosen for their symbolism, their beauty or their personality, a whole menagerie of creatures has been depicted in gemstones and precious metals, ranging from fantastical dragons, griffins and sphinxes, to wild beasts such as boars and big cats, to the delicate forms of birds, fish and even insects. The 130 pieces in this book have been specially selected from the magnificent jewelry collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and include necklaces and earrings,bracelets and brooches by legendary names such as Boucheron, Falize and Lalique. They stretch from the Renaissance revival of the 19th century to the elegant lines of Art Nouveau and beyond, through to the playful naivety of modernist designs by Jean Lurçat and Line Vautrin."--Dust jacket flap.