Both here on Adorn London and at our trend agency Adorn Insight, we’ve been heralding the re-emergence of pearls as a force to be reckoned with for some time now . The launch of a new exhibition devoted entirely to this jewellery world icon is set to send its appeal into orbit.
‘Pearls’ at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum opens this Saturday and promises to be a fascinating exploration of the history of pearls from the early Roman Empire to the present. Its remit is to show “how pearls have been employed over centuries in both East and West as a symbol of status and wealth, how tastes vary in different cultures, and the changing designs of jewellery with pearls”.
Over 200 pieces of jewellery will be on display and include a pearl-drop earring worn by Charles I at his execution in 1649, pearl tiaras worn by European nobility and a necklace of cultured pearls given to Marilyn Monroe by Joe DiMaggio in 1954.
Organised in partnership with the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), the exhibition is the highlight event of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. It’s going to be one of our highlights too…
Images clockwise from above left: Brooch brown pearls set in platinum and diamonds France 1900 Albion Art; Hair ornament set with pearls emeralds and sapphires Roman 3rd Century The Trustees of the British Museum; Grand Jete Geoffrey Rowlandson London 1999 Geoffrey Rowlandson; Detail of Frozen by Sam Tho Duong Photo Petra Jaschke
Top image: Bodice ornament by George Fouquet, Paris c.1900-1, Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim Photo by Rüdiger Flöter ADAGP Paris and DACS London 2013
Pearls V&A and Qatar Museums Authority exhibition
21 September 2013 – 19 January 2014
