Beyond Brilliance
Castellani, micromosaic lion brooch, about 1870. Gold and glass (micromosaic). Gift of Susan Beth Kaplan.
Elsa Peretti, large bone cuff bracelet, about 1978. Sterling silver. Gift of Monica S. Sadler in honor of Katy Kane. © Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation.
Unidentified artist, natural pearl and diamond necklace, European, about 1880. Silver, gold, natural pearls (Pinctada maxima), and diamonds. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild.
Unidentified artist, wesekh broadcollar, Egyptian, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 6, reign of Neferkara Pepy II, 2246–2152 BCE. Gold, steatite, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition.
Lyndon Tsosie, Enuh bracelet, 1990–99. Sterling silver, 18-karat gold, sugilite, lapis lazuli, spiny oyster, and boulder opal. Gift of Vicki Howard. © Lyndon Tsosie.
Castellani, micromosaic lion brooch, about 1870. Gold and glass (micromosaic). Gift of Susan Beth Kaplan.
Elsa Peretti, large bone cuff bracelet, about 1978. Sterling silver. Gift of Monica S. Sadler in honor of Katy Kane. © Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation.
Unidentified artist, natural pearl and diamond necklace, European, about 1880. Silver, gold, natural pearls (Pinctada maxima), and diamonds. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild.
Unidentified artist, wesekh broadcollar, Egyptian, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 6, reign of Neferkara Pepy II, 2246–2152 BCE. Gold, steatite, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition.
Lyndon Tsosie, Enuh bracelet, 1990–99. Sterling silver, 18-karat gold, sugilite, lapis lazuli, spiny oyster, and boulder opal. Gift of Vicki Howard. © Lyndon Tsosie.
Celebrating the universality of body adornment throughout the ages and across cultures, this newly renovated gallery presents highlights from the MFA’s renowned jewelry collection. From ancient artifacts to fine jewelry to designs made by contemporary artists, the presentation connects objects that span 4,000 years by exploring how jewelry can communicate strong messages about its wearer and exemplify the art and culture of its time.
More than 150 objects are on display, including an ancient Egyptian broad collar necklace; 19th-century works by Castellani and Carlo Giuliano; 20th-century designs by Marcus & Co., Tiffany & Co., and Bulgari; René Boivin’s starfish brooch from 1937; and fashion jewelry by Chanel, Dior, and Elsa Peretti. New acquisitions of contemporary jewelry by Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, Wallace Chan, Anna Hu, and Feng J are also featured.
Championing the breadth and depth of the MFA’s collection, “Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection” features both humble and exquisite objects that together illustrate the timeless human desire to self-fashion, collect, and create.
- Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation Gallery (Gallery 104)
