A special exhibition on pearls, "Pearls," is being held at London's Victoria and Albert Museum from September 21 to January 19 next year. A gorgeous display of over 200 pieces of jewelry and related works, spanning from ancient Rome to the present, explores the allure of pearls through historical and scientific approaches. Hanging at the entrance to the exhibition is a portrait of a smiling 17th-century Parisian lady wearing pearl jewelry, "Portrait of Jeanne de Marigny" (V&A Collection). At a preview held on the 18th, jewelry historian Beatriz Chadour-Sampson, who curated the exhibition, spoke below the portrait, discussing pearls' role as a symbol of prestige and wealth, as well as their important role in fashion throughout human history, as well as their mystical nature as a natural beauty. "The popularity of other gemstones, such as emeralds and diamonds, has fluctuated with changes in fashion. However, no other gemstone has been worn and sought after for such a long time, both East and West," he said.

The exhibition explores pearls from a scientific perspective, featuring a series of X-ray photographs of pearls by photographer Boo Beaumount, a video explaining the natural history of pearls, and archival footage of the pearl fishing and trade in the Gulf of Qatar in the 1970s.

The exhibition also chronologically explains the role of pearls in both East and West, beginning with ancient Roman times. A dazzling display of historical jewelry worn by royalty, aristocrats, and celebrities, including King Charles I of England, Mary Queen of Scots, and actress Elizabeth Taylor, is on display.

Next, we will focus on Mikimoto's cultured pearls, which mark a major turning point in the pearl industry this year, marking the 120th anniversary of the invention of cultured pearls. One room is filled with exhibits, including a film about the invention of cultured pearls by Mikimoto founder Kokichi Mikimoto, historical masterpieces of Mikimoto jewelry made with Akoya pearls, and photographs documenting the production process. The jewelry on display includes the multifunctional "Yaguruma" obidome, which was exhibited at the 1937 Paris World's Fair and became known as the "Phantom Obidome" due to its high level of craftsmanship; a necklace given to Marilyn Monroe by her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, on their honeymoon in Japan; the "Journey of 5000 Pearls" scarf made with 5,000 Akoya pearls; and modern high-end jewelry such as necklaces and chokers. The exhibition concludes with a discussion of mass freshwater pearl farming in China, featuring buckets overflowing with pearls. The exhibit seems to suggest a message for the future of the industry and the environment.


【Event Information】
"Pearls"
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Address: Cromwell Road, London
Dates: Until January 19, 2014
Time: 10:00 to 17:45 (until 22:00 on Fridays)
Closed: December 24th to 26th
Admission: 10 GBP