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Jewelry holds a special significance in all cultures  The jewelry worn in medieval Europe was important as an indicator of the wearer's social status and wealth, faith and superstition, allegiances and literacy. This stunning book draws on the major collection at the V&A to focus on the heart of the Medieval period from 1100 to 1500. Royalty and the nobility wore gold, silver, or precious gems, while humbler ranks wore base metals, copper or pewter, sometimes set with colored glass, in imitation of gems. This richly illustrated book, one of very few on this subject, looks at the jewels themselves--rings, bracelets, necklaces, amulets, crosses and crucifixes--as well as contemporary portraits and sculpture to place the jewelry in its cultural context.