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kristin
11-17-2006, 10:41 AM
AMNH goes for gold with new exhibit
National Jeweler-
November 16, 2006

New York—More than 700 gold objects—from nuggets to necklaces—will go on display this Saturday at New York City's American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), in an exhibit that centers on this enduring symbol of wealth, beauty and power.

Simply titled "Gold," the exhibit will run through Aug. 19, giving visitors insight into the world's historical fascination with the metal.

One hundred cultural objects such as jewelry and art will be included, as well as 100 natural specimens and 450 coins and gold bars. Among the diverse jewelry highlights are a pendant from Ghana in the shape of a mask, 13th-century earrings from Iran and a brooch designed by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany and Co.

"We explore these subjects from a scientific point of view, explaining what they are and what makes them so special," AMNH President Ellen V. Futters says.

In addition to offering a wealth of information, the exhibit also provides several fun displays such as a room wallpapered in gold, a collection of Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe awards, and a scale that tells visitors their (monetary) weight in gold.

"Gold" represents the most recent installment in an AMNH series dedicated to precious and semiprecious materials. Past exhibits have included "Amber: Window to the Past," "Nature of Diamonds" and "Pearls."





This 18-karat "Gold" brooch, designed by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany and Co. in 1988, is one of the many jewelry objects that will be on display at the AMNH "Gold" exhibit through Aug. 19.

kristin
11-17-2006, 10:42 AM
This hammered gold vessel with its distinctive stirrup-shaped neck was made by the goldsmiths of the Chavin culture of Peru that flourished between 900 B.C. and 200 B.C.

kristin
11-17-2006, 10:43 AM
Marilyn Monroe received this 18-karat gold David de Donatello plaque, the main film award in Italy, in 1958 for her performance in The Prince and the Showgirl.