The three books you need to read this month: August

Fabergé: His Masters and Artisans

Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm (Unicorn Publishing Group, £30)

Adored by royalty and collectors alike, Peter Carl Fabergé’s jewellery transformed Russian art. While he is best known for creating Easter eggs for the Russian royal family, Fabergé oversaw the creation of works from sculptures to photo frames, as the head of the House of Fabergé. Written by Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm – the great-granddaughter of the St Petersburg goldsmith, Alexander Tillander – this book explores the stories of the craftsmen who worked for the renowned goldsmith. Featuring artists including Erik Kollin and Henrik Wigström, the work discusses jewellery-manufacturing methods, Fabergé’s creativity and the company’s notable customers.
 
Published by Unicorn Publishing Group; unicornpublishing.org; £30

Chopin’s Piano: A Journey through Romanticism

Paul Kildea (Allen Lane, £20)

In an abandoned monastery in Valldemossa, Majorca, Frédéric Chopin composed his 24 piano Preludes. Virtuosic yet enigmatic, Chopin’s work marks a defining moment in Romantic music. In this work, writer and conductor Paul Kildea uncovers the history of Chopin’s Preludes, shedding light on the musicians who performed them and the instruments on which they were played.
 
Published by Allen Lane; penguin.co.uk; £20

King Tut: The Journey through the Underworld

Sandro Vannini (Taschen, £50)

One hundred years ago, archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun – a discovery that revolutionised Egyptology. From burial masks to royal chariots, the tomb’s treasures provided an insight into ancient funerary customs. In this book, photographer Sandro Vannini combines compelling analysis with his own high-resolution photographic reproductions, to reveal the secrets of the pharaoh’s burial chamber. With forewords from Egyptologists including Salima Ikram and David P Silverman, this work explores the mysteries surrounding the king’s journey to the afterlife.
 
Published by Taschen; taschen.com; £50