Bedazzled: 5000 Years Of Jewelry

From an ancient Roman snake bracelet to a ceremonial Chinese headdress to a Tiffany & Co. glittering necklace, Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry will highlight more than 200 pieces from the Walters Art Museum. On view Oct. 19, 2008–Jan. 4, 2009, the exhibition will feature some of the Walters’ greatest masterpieces as well as many hidden treasures on view for the first time.

The allure of gold and gems and the desire to design objects of adornment have remained constant throughout history and across a spectrum of cultures. This selection of Walters’ holdings will not only present the evolution of techniques and materials but also demonstrate the importance of jewelry as an expression of creativity and often wealth and position. In addition, a special exhibition section will be devoted to rings, the only type of jewelry worn continuously through the ages.

The Walters is one of the few museums worldwide that can provide examples, both in depth and range, of stunning jewelry from 3000 B.C. through the early 20th century. Assembled primarily by one of the museum’s founders, Henry Walters, during the first three decades of the last century, this renowned collection contains superb examples of expert craftsmanship.

“We are so lucky to have this rich, varied and aesthetically beautiful jewelry collection at the Walters,” said museum Director Gary Vikan. “Henry Walters’ eye for great pieces and his immense generosity has made this one of the world’s finest collections of jewelry.”

Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry has been organized by the Walters Art Museum. The exhibition includes many spectacular pieces from the renowned collection of Benjamin Zucker (New York), which are on loan to the Walters. Bedazzled is presented by The Women’s Committee of the Walters Art Museum with lead support from Richard S. and Rosalee C. Davison and The Eliasberg Family Foundation.

Exhibition Highlights

• Gold bracelet from the first century B.C. encrusted with precious stones and multi-colored enamel inlay discovered in a tomb in the Greek colony of Olbia (present-day Ukraine)

• Tiffany & Co. iris corsage ornament decorated with 139 sapphires, diamonds and other gems, which was a grand prize winner at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle

• Nineteenth-century imperial, ceremonial Chinese headdress with designs of phoenixes, butterflies and peaches and crafted of gilded silver, kingfisher feathers, silk thread, pearls, rubies and glass beads

• Plique-a-jour enamel and sapphire pansy brooch created by renowned Art Nouveau designer Rene Lalique and purchased by Henry Walters at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition

• Finger rings that held a variety of roles throughout history, including emblems of love and marriage, death and mourning, power and faith -- www.thewalters.org

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