Visitors at the Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers exhibition, in Moscow.
DOHA: A new edition of the critically acclaimed Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers exhibition opens to the public today in Moscow as part of the Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture.
The opening evening was attended by Qatar Museums CEO and Special Advisor to the Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah and a number of VIPs.
The exhibition displays 50 pieces of jewellery and other examples of pearl craftsmanship made from freshwater pearls born in Central Asia. It includes 20 never-before-shown artefacts specially selected for the exhibition in Russia. It is hosted by the World Diamond Museum at the Exhibition Center of the State Historical Museum in Moscow from today to October 1.
The exhibition gives a rare opportunity to see some of the most beautiful pieces of pearl jewellery and rare natural pearls from Qatar Museums’ collection.
The exhibition begins with an insight into the natural history of pearls and their formation, shedding light on many unknown facts that will amaze visitors.
Visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the different kinds of pearls created by shell fish from around the world, with a unique display of natural pearls, which includes rarities such as pearls from the American rivers.
One of the pieces on display at the exhibition.
The exhibit continues by telling a story of pearl fishing in Qatar. It draws a parallel between the history of pearl industry in Russia and in Qatar and shows jewellery and handcraft masterpieces of different countries and epochs: from an intricately cut figurine of the 17th century to a modern composition called “Frozen” by a Vietnamese master Sam Tho Duong.
Among other masterpiece objects on show visitors will admire jewellery pieces by Cartier, pearl earrings by Bvlgari worn by Elizabeth Taylor, a brooch designed by the sketch of Salvador Dali, a spectacular tiara of Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria and treasures from other European monarchies.
The exhibition also shows pearl jewellery of various ethnicities and tribes, such as head decorations and earrings from Tibet and pearl artefacts from Russia and Central Asia.
The exhibition, which is considered one of QM’s flagship initiatives and is the first travelling exhibition organised by the institution, was designed to introduce audiences to the history and transformative impact that the pearl industry had on Qatar and the world.
This is the sixth time that Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers has travelled around the world, with the last show taking place in China as part of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture.
Exhibition curator Dr. Hubert Bari said: “Pearls have long inspired artists and painters with their quiet elegance and mystery. This diverse exhibition will answer many of the questions surrounding these natural wonders, while taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of pearl diving and trade in Qatar.
The exhibition is a major highlight of the Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture, which will see two great cultures explore unexpected historical parallels through the use of pearls in traditional design and jewellery making. We hope that this is something that will help bring our people and countries ever closer together.”
Launched in February, the Qatar Russia Year of Culture is made up of a wide variety of exhibitions and events in addition to literary and art workshops, film screenings, concerts, performances and trade shows part of which will be held in 2019.
The Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture, sponsored by Qatar Airways, was planned in collaboration with leading institutions in Qatar and Russia, including the Embassy of Qatar in Moscow, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Doha, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and Sport and the State Museum and Exhibition Center (ROSIZO.RU).
