Mikimoto

Hardcover: 80 pages
Published by Assouline (25 April 2008)
1.3 x 15.9 x 22.2 cm

I would like to adorn the necks of all the women of the world with pearls. Kokichi Mikimoto Born to a noodle-maker in the small town of Toba Japan. Kokichi Mikimoto followed his vision and passion. becoming one of the world’s greatest inventors. His creation – the cultured pearl. Throughout history this rare jewel of the sea has possessed mystery, power, and wealth. Mikimoto tells the story of one man’s quest to uncover the secret of an iconic gem of nature. Today, Mikimoto is synonymous with the pearl and recognized internationally as a symbol of excellence. Heavy in the hand and cool to the touch, a Mikimoto pearl remains the ultimate symbol of purity, high style, and natural elegance.

Nicholas Foulkes is the author of around 25 books on the arts and history. He is best known for his critically acclaimed trilogy of 19th century histories: Scandalous Society, (a biography of Count d'Orsay); Dancing Into Battle, A Social History of the Battle of Waterloo; and Gentlemen and Blackguards, Gambling Mania and the plot to steal the Derby of 1844.

His most recent books include, Bernard Buffet: The Invention of the Modern Mega-Artist, 'Bals: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century' and 'Swans, Legends of the Jet Society'.

His books have been published by Random House; Little, Brown & Company; Weidenfield and Nicolson; Flamarrion; Assouline; and Thomas Dunne Books.

He contributes to a wide range of newspapers and magazines around the world. He is a contributing editor to The FT's How To Spend It Magazine; a contributing editor to Vanity Fair; , a columnist for Country Life and luxury editor of British GQ. He launched and continues to edit Vanity Fair's twice yearly watch magazine On Time. He launched and continues to edit Vanity Fair on Art. In 2007 he was named Havana Man of the Year by the Cuban government, having been nominated for this award on four previous occasions. In 2009 he was appointed to the board of the Norman Mailer Centre. He is a graduate of Hertford College Oxford and lives in London with his wife and two sons.