Jewellery in Context is the doctoral dissertation, edited by Theo Smeets in its first English translation, by the Dutch art historian and design critic Marjan Unger (1942-2018). In this work she initially endeavours to formulate a general definition of jewellery. Yet above all she also analyses to what extent jewellery is associated, across the globe, with different, sometimes contrary issues: all human fears, but also desires, have, in a sense, materialised as objects of adornment, she postulates. This comprehensive approach aimed not least at developing a solid theoretical framework to aid the study of jewellery. Thus the text can already be seen as an outright standard reference work, indispensable for all students of jewellery. However, experts, too, will discover new perspectives on the phenomenon of jewellery.

Marjan Unger (1946-2018) studierte zunächst Industriedesign und anschließend Kunstgeschichte an der Universität Amsterdam. Neben Lehraufträgen an verschiedenen niederländischen Universitäten war sie zusätzlich als Chefredakteurin der Designzeitschriften Bijvoorbeeld und Morf tätig. Marjan Unger kuratierte die wegweisende Ausstellung Zonder wrijving geen glans [Kein Glanz ohne Reibung] und hat mehrere Publikationen verfasst.