Review: Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from the Petit Palais, Paris

This recently opened exhibit at the Dixon Museum features an eclectic collection of French jewelry, art prints, paintings and drawings from the 17th to 20th centuries. Most of the collection is from the Petit Palis in Paris, but also included are pieces from private collections. A fine review of the organization of the pre-revolution French jewelry guilds accompanies the earliest works. Also included is the history, evolution and representative pieces of famous jewelry businesses such as Boucheron, Cartier and Lalique. The exhibit is well organized and displayed. A color catalogue of everything shown is available at the museum gift shop.