Since ancient times the world's most powerful people have collected together priceless objects for their own indulgence, often artifacts with an element of the strange and wonderful, dazzling with gold and glittering with gemstones. This book aims to capture the greatest achievements of goldsmiths, jewellers and craftsmen who have created objects of exceptional beauty through the ages. The lavish illustrations and accompanying text trace the history of kingdoms that rose and fell but left behind magnificent legacies. Here are treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb, beautiful jewels by Tiffany and Cartier, gold statues from Thailand, the crown of Rudolf II, and the British Crown jewels featuring the celebrated Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Star of Africa.