Jewelry show set to sparkle
PITTSBURGH — "Pittsburgh Adorned: Classic to Contemporary" will open June 12 at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave.
This exhibit presents more than 80 exquisite pieces from private local collections and those of Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History and celebrates the passions — the love, status and even politics — that jewelry evokes.
On view in the Wertz Gallery: Gems & Jewelry, "Pittsburgh Adorned" is divided into three sections, each highlighting a different approach to jewelry: Materials, Designers, and Style and Meaning.
The Materials section focuses on historic and contemporary jewelry from many parts of the world. In contrast to works made of more traditional gold and gems in other areas of the show, this particular section focuses on pieces fashioned from materials that have deep associations with the city of Pittsburgh: glass, steel and aluminum.
Other pieces are made of materials from the realm of nature, such as brightly colored feather necklaces from the Amazon and a bracelet made from the bones of a lion.
The Designers section presents works by leading names in jewelry design. Particular emphasis is placed on designers from the 20th century, such as David Webb —who was very popular with Pittsburgh collectors — and other New York designers such as Barry Kieselstein-Cord and Angela Cummings, whose pieces have adorned celebrities.
Also featured are internationally renowned designers from Pittsburgh who have helped establish the city as a thriving center for jewelry design. Three bracelets from local designer ROY whose work is represented in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and six pieces by Ronald McNeish are highlighted.
The Style and Meaning section of the exhibition examines how prevailing artistic tastes, interests and even political concerns of the last two hundred years have influenced how jewelry has been designed and worn.
Here the exhibition illustrates how trends in jewelry mirror the chronology of the larger design world, beginning with Renaissance revival in the 19th century, through the aesthetic movement, art nouveau, art deco, and, finally, modernism. A significant number of art deco pieces are presented, reflecting the preference many Pittsburgh collectors have for this classic style.
The exhibit will continue through Oct. 17.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with additional hours until 8 p.m. Thursdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays.
Admission, which includes the Carnegie Museum of Art, is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $11 for students with ID and children ages 3 to 18, and free for members and children younger than 3. Call 412-622-3131 or visit the website, www.carnegiemnh.org.
