Pearls Courtesy of the Qatar Museums

Made in 1800, I couldn’t find any history on it. Who made it? Who owned it? Can anyone solve the mystery?

In 2018 The Museums of Qatar put together an exhibition called “Pearls: Treasures From the Seas and the Rivers.” that opened at the State Historical Museum in Moscow as a cultural exchange. It featured a collection of over 100 pieces of pearl jewelry and artifacts from the Arabian Gulf, Europe and Asia. The traveling exhibit showcased the history and cultural significance of pearls with emphasis on their role in Qatar’s history, which was once a major center for pearl diving and trade. The show highlighted pearl fishing techniques and the artistry of pearl jewelry from different cultures and eras. Online media called it "one of the finest collections of pearl jewelry ever assembled.”

I'll show you a few pieces that caught my eye. 

Above 👆is a diamond brooch centered by a cushion shaped rare pink diamond with a gorgeous drop pearl. Breathtakingly beautiful, it is mounted in gold. ©1800

A tiara designed by Koechert was made in 1913 of gold, silver, diamonds and pearls for Archduchess Marie Valerie, the youngest child of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria.

The Rosebery tiara was designed in London by Garrard in 1878 for Hannah Rothchild upon her marriage to the Earl of Rosebery, making her a Countess. It has large diamonds and natural Pacific Ocean Pearls. 

Tiffany designed the above chrysanthemum brooch, one of several, with freshwater pearls from Mississippi in 1880.

 

The wide V-shaped broach is believed to have once belonged to Empress Maria Theresa who ruled Austria from 1740-1780. Set in gold, its 40+ natural round and drop pearls come from the Persian Gulf.

The Millennium Necklace and Earrings Set was designed by Cartier in Paris in 2000. It is made of natural Pacific Ocean pearls and sizable emeralds. The center emerald was carved in 17th century India.

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Close up view of the Pearl Carpet of Baroda

Although the famed Pearl Carpet of Baroda wasn’t in the 2018 exhibit (no mention that it was), it is a centerpiece in the National Museum of Qatar's permanent collection. The opulent carpet was commissioned by Khande Rao Gaekward, the Maharaja (governor) of Baroda, in 1865. It has over 1.5 million Basra pearls, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. The gemstones are embroidered onto a deerskin and silk backing. The Maharaja had it made to cover the tomb of the Prophet in Medina, but then couldn’t part with it, so it stayed in his family until 2009 when it sold at auction.

Pearls are timeless and elegant! What a magnificent show for the lucky folks who saw it! The top diamond and pearl drop brooch might my favorite piece, if forced, forced, forced to choose, even though we don’t really wear brooches today. The brooch's pink diamond and pink drop pearl are gorgeous! What’s your favorite piece?𓆉🐌🐚🦀

If you wish to learn more about pearls click the 1st link, below.⚪

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