Hans Appenzeller (1949) is one of the innovative jewellery designers of the twentieth century. Since the 1960s he has been making jewellery from, until then, unusual materials such as aluminium and rubber. The construction and closure are just as important as the material and shape. In 1969, immediately after completing his training at the Rietveld Academy, Appenzeller opened the first Dutch jewellery gallery in Amsterdam, together with Lous Martin: Galerie Sieraad.
After that, he had his own shops in Amsterdam and New York, where he also organised exhibitions with other designers. Before fashion shows as we know them today were developed, Appenzeller, together with Jan Aarntzen, devised catwalk shows in the 1970s to present his jewellery to the public. Appenzeller’s jewellery is not made to lie around in a showcase, but to be worn.
This monograph shows in words and pictures the versatile and extensive oeuvre of Hans Appenzeller. Ivo Weyel describes Appenzeller’s life and Jeroen van den Eijnde interprets the meaning and context of his work. In addition, this book shows a comprehensive selection of Appenzeller’s groundbreaking designs.
