miss b loves ........ pearls and a special exhibition

Tastes in jewellery certainly vary but pearls have fascinated people for thousands of years. Unlike other gems they need no enhancement, no cutting or polishing.

Just before Christmas I visited the Pearls Exhibition at the V&A Museum (in collaboration with the Qatar Museum Authority) to find out more about these objects of desire which have been associated with wealth, royalty and glamour through the ages.....

A portrait of Jeanne de Marigny, about 1650-1660 greeted visitors .....

Pearls were a sign of
 wealth and status

The tour began with X ray images and a video showing the formation of the pearl. Contrary to popular belief, pearls do not form when a grain of sand enters an oyster! A parasite (tapeworm) enters the shell and the mantle then covers the intruder with layers of nacre (mother of pearl) the same substance used to create the shell.

The 'Pearl Fishing in the Gulf' section brought back memories of our trip to Qatar last October. 

via 

The most beautiful natural pearls came from the Gulf and the pearl fishing trade was the mainstay of Qatar's economy until the discovery of oil and gas. Apparently only one pearl would be found in every 2000 oysters!

'Pearl Jewellery through the Ages' showed that across the Roman Empire, pearls were considered a desireable and expensive luxury. In Medieval Europe they became a symbol of perfection and purity. Lavish designs demonstrated high social rank and family status in 17th century Europe.  

Icon with Virgin and Child
including Russian freshwater pearls

As I wandered through the exhibition, a number of stunning pieces caught my eye.

Royal and aristocratic women wore pearls on crowns and tiaras to dazzle and impress .....

The Rosebery Pearl and Diamond Tiara 1878

Many pieces were on loan from the Qatar Museums Authority including this striking one with five graduated strands........

Cartier, 1930-40, diamonds
with natural Gulf pearls

I was fascinated by the design of the Grand Jeté brooch made from two baroque pearls .... 

Grand Jeté brooch
by Geoffrey Rowlandson (born 1931)

The work of Kokichi Mikimoto in Japan was also celebrated. He used a grafting technique to develop the cultured pearl, making pearls more affordable.

Marilyn Monroe wears a cultured pearl Akoya necklace,
 a gift from Joe DiMaggio on their honeymoon in Japan

The exhibition ended with examples of South Sea cultured pearls in an array of colours and a number of contemporary pieces showing that pearl designs really have no limits........

'Frozen' necklace by Sam Tho Duong 2011
 inspired by the effect of frost on natural forms

.........and finally a few favourites from my own pearl 'collection!' 

A couple of very special necklaces which belonged to my Grandma.... The first one still in its original blue velvet box......

 I have always liked the touch of sparkle from the diamanté clasp and the rich colour of these three strands......

A couple of inexpensive contemporary pieces which I bought a while ago in Dubai......

Pearls have often been used through the ages on clothing or as ornaments. 

My Lulu Guiness silk slippers (no longer available).....

'Put on your pearls girls'

In the V&A shop I noticed that beautiful silk scarves in the same design had been specially commissioned.........

You may remember my Kate Spade flats, a birthday gift last year in June. Extra-special as the pearl is my birthstone too! 

Another gift....a box of chocolates, from Pelit in Istanbul, adorned with 'pearls'.......

Elegant, timeless, versatile and universally flattering pearls are truly one of the great wonders of the natural world.

PS  Sadly the V&A exhibiton ended just a few days ago but this short video shows the highlights .......

A display with giant 'pearls'
in the V&A shop
 

I hope you'll join me next time for Part 2 .......style icons through the decades and how they wear their pearls....... 

*No photos were allowed in the exhibition. Sources and links are included below each image.