All that glitters is gold—and diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds and sapphires! Visitors of all ages will be dazzled by extraordinary gems, beautiful jewelry and fantastically embellished creations from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution in Jeweled Objects of Desire, a new exhibition opening March 29, at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.
Jeweled Objects of Desire is on loan from the National Museum of Natural History, through the Smithsonian Affiliations program, generously supported by the MassMutual Foundation. It is sponsored locally by Hannoush Jewelers.
“The Hannoush Family is proud to support an exhibition that elevates jewelry design and craftsmanship to an art form,” said Maroun Hannoush.
“Never before have the Springfield Museums presented such a display of unusual and lavish objects created by precious materials,” said President Kay Simpson. “We are excited that this first exhibition borrowed through the Smithsonian Affiliations Program is a visual extravaganza sure to amaze children and adults alike.”
Presenting uncut examples of precious materials such as jade, amethyst and quartz alongside the artistry of man-made objects, Jeweled Objects of Desire celebrates the beauty of stones found deep within the earth. Highlights of the exhibition include a 7,000 carat quartz egg from Brazil, containing 240 facets (or surfaces) and resting on a gold stand embellished with 16 small and 4 large sapphires; a freshwater pearl corncob with 18-karat gold husk, inspired by the importance corn played in Incan society; and an ivory camel covered in brilliant-cut diamonds and cabochons of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
The special exhibition also features the work of internationally renowned jewelry designer Sidney Mobell, celebrated for crafting common utilitarian items into unique artworks through the use of gold and precious gemstones. Among the spectacular works on view are a 14-karat gold cell phone encrusted with more than 250 gems; a golden mail box studded with 76.70 carats of precious and semi-precious stones; and a jeweled penny gumball machine. Also included is the world’s most expensive slot machine, an antique Art Déco-style model covered in gold and gemstones from Mobell’s own collection valued at $21 million.
On Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m, Mobell will discuss his career turning everyday objects into valuable works of art, and designing jewelry for royalty and the powerful, from Queen Elizabeth to Walt Disney Company executives. The talk is presented free with museum admission. His book, One of a Kind, will be available for sale.
Jeweled Objects of Desire will be on view through December 31, 2017. The MassMutual Foundation is the Season Supporter of the Springfield Museums.
Images and Credits
Pearl Corncob with Husk, John Hatleberg; on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
Jeweled Ivory Camel; on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History; Gift of Mr. George H. Capps, 1980; photo by Tiso Photography
Golden Jeweled Penny Gumball Machine, Sidney Mobell; on loan from the artist
Jeweled Antique Art Déco Slot Machine, Sidney Mobell; on loan from the artist
Additional images available upon request.