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Secrets of the Gem TradeBedazzled: 5000 Years of Jewelry
The Walters Art Museum – Baltimore, MD USA
Oct. 19, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009
Pansy Brooch by René Lalique ca. 1903
gold, plique-à-jour enamel, glass, sapphire
Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
The Walters is one of the few museums worldwide that can provide an array of exquisite jewelry from 5,000 years of world history and a vast spectrum of cultures. It is the most wide-ranging collection of jewelry assembled by a private collector in the United States. Through the connoisseurship of founder Henry Walters, this renowned collection contains beautiful examples of craftsmanship, ranging from about 3000 B.C. to the early 20th century. With over 200 objects from the Walters’ collection-many never before exhibited-Bedazzled will present the evolution of jewelry-making techniques and materials throughout the ages as well as demonstrate the significance of jewelry as an expression of creativity and often wealth and position. A special section will be devoted to rings, the only type of jewelry worn continuously through the ages. Bedazzled traveled to The Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville from Sept. 16, 2006-Jan. 14, 2007 and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla. from Feb. 3-May 27, 2007.
Gothic style bracelet ca. 1870
gold, carnelian, malachite, moss agate, amethysts, aquamarines, rubies
Gift in memory of Paul Esmerian, 1972
Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
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 Betty Cooke, Bill Steinmetz, and The Store Ltd.; Richard S. and Rosalee C. Davison; The Eliasberg Family Foundation; and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Additional support is provided by Bob and Jackie Smelkinson.
The Walters Art Museum presents fun-filled programming relating to the fall exhibition Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. With more than 200 pieces from numerous cultures and over five millennia, Bedazzled will showcase some of the Walters’ greatest masterpieces as well as many hidden treasures on view for the first time.
Bedazzled: 5000 Years of Jewelry
Schedule of events:
First Fridays at the Walters: Bedazzled – Friday, Nov. 7, 5-9 pm
Price: free; Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry will be free during First Fridays
Mix and mingle at Baltimore’s newest cocktail party! Enjoy a delicious signature cocktail while listening to music and enjoying free admission to the special exhibition Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. You’ll also enjoy live performances, tours of the exhibition and other special events! Promotional support provided by STYLE Magazine.
Brownie & Junior Girl Scout Museum Day-Beadazzled & Bejeweled – Saturday, Nov. 8, 1-3 pm
Brownie Museum Day-Beadazzled & Bejeweled – Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-3 pm
Price: $10 per scout The Walters invites scouts to learn about art, especially pieces in the Bedazzled exhibition, while earning merit badges and pins. This program includes a guided tour of selected artworks, an art activity based on specific badge and belt loop guidelines and a specially designed Walters’ participatory patch. Pre-registration is required, and a fee is due at the time of registration. To register or for more information, visit http://www.thewalters.org or call 410-547-9000, ext. 373.
Basic sketching, rendering & jewelry design – Wednesdays, Nov. 12 & 19, 6:30-9 pm
Price: members $50; non-members $100, pre-registration required
Location: Studio B
Elissa O’Loughlin, Senior Paper Conservator This class will begin with a brief illustrated talk on the history of jewelry renderings, beginning from medieval time to modern day, while focusing on Fabergé, Boucheron, Cartier, George Jensen and Buccelati. Paper, colored pencils, markers and technical drawing tools will be used to help participants learn to sketch a brooch, a necklace and a bracelet.
College Night: Bling! Bling! Bling! – Thursday, Nov. 13, 6-9 pm
Price: free; Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry will be free during College Night, pre-registration recommended. Open to college and university students and faculty with valid college/university identification.
The evening will offer college and university faculty and students an opportunity to interact with Walters staff and local artists. With a unique infusion of hip-hop music and a dialogue about “Bling” and its culture, the Walters will engage students in a fun approach to the history of jewels and gems. College Night will include hip-hop performances, local DJs, free refreshments, gallery conversations led by curators and presentations by conservation staff.
Jewelry Fair at the Walters – Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 20-23
Price: $10 entry fee; programs vary in price.
The Women’s Committee of the Walters Art Museum is proud to announce the Jewelry Fair at the Walters. Twenty-one jewelry artisans will offer exquisite handmade wares, fashioned from copper, clay, Lucite, silver and gold. The four-day event begins with the preview party First Look, and the weekend will include jewelry making workshops for children, a panel discussion with local designers as well as interpretative jewelry and fashion designs by MICA students. For more information, call 410-547-9000, ext. 305, or visit http://www.thewalters.org or http://www.wamwc.org
Bead Making for Kids – Saturday, Nov. 22, 1-4:30 pm
Price: members $25 per child; non-members $35 per child, pre-registration required. Ages 7-10
A special guest educator will lead kids in creating wacky, fun and beautiful types of beads. While the children experiment with a range of materials to make one-of-a-kind wearable pieces, parents can indulge in the Walters’ Jewelry Fair and special exhibition Bedazzled.
Drop-in Art Activities for kids – Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Price: free, no registration required. Museum educators help families create artful projects related to Bedazzled.
November You’re a Gem! Families will discover and create treasures inspired by the gold, gems and jewels found in the exhibition Bedazzled. Kids of all ages can go home with new adornment, jeweled paintings and sacred amulets.
Walk, Wonder, & Create Family Tour – third Saturdays, 11 am
Price: Free, pre-registration required; meet in the Centre Street Lobby Recommended for ages 6-8; one guardian per two children required, other family members welcome This 45-minute experience allows visitors of all ages to enjoy an interactive, discovery tour of the Walters’ collection, and then create an artwork that relates to the gallery objects. November 15 Treasure Hunt Visitors can solve mysteries about ancient treasures’ origins and uses while making their own jewels.
A Mysterious Wedding Ring: Tracing Personal Jewelry Histories – Sunday, Nov. 23, 2 pm
Price: free, pre-registration highly recommended
Location: Graham Auditorium
Benjamin Zucker, Collector and President of the Precious Stones Company in New York
Benjamin Zucker has built an impressive jewelry collection, dating from about 600 B.C. to present, which focuses on finger rings but also includes bracelets, earrings and pendants. He will share stories about his collection, which supplement the Bedazzled exhibition, and offer insights into the role gems and rings have played throughout the history of jewelry design. A book signing will follow the lecture.
Bedazzled Walk-in Gallery Tours:
Sat., Nov. 8, 11 am
Sun., Nov. 16, 11 am
Sat., Nov. 22, 11 am
Sat., Dec. 6, 11 am
Sun., Dec. 7, 11 am
Sat., Dec. 13, 11 am
Sat., Dec. 20, 11 am
Sat., Dec. 27, 11 am
Sun., Dec. 28, 11 am
Price: free with Bedazzled admission; meet in the Centre Street Lobby
Please note: all programs are subject to change. Please consult the museum’s web site at http://www.thewalters.org prior to the date of the program to confirm.
