São Paulo – The exhibition Pearls (or Pérolas in Portuguese), which will be held from July 20th to September 28th, in the city of São Paulo, brings for the first time ever to Brazil over 200 rare pieces of jewellery made with natural pearls of Qatar and Gulf region. The exhibition will be part of the activities of the Qatar-Brazil Year of Culture and will be hosted at the Brazilian Art Museum (Museu de Arte Brasileira) of the Foundation Armando Álvares Penteado (Fundação Armando Álvares Penteado in Portuguese, or Faap).
The exhibition will show how pearls were used through the centuries both in the Occident as well as the Orient as symbols of status and wealth, how they are seen by different cultures and also diverse designs of jewellery with pearls.
“It is a large collection of all kinds of pearls from Qatar and neighbouring countries. It is the best there is in pearls and you cannot see it in other parts of the world,” says Mohammed Alhayki, Qatari ambassador in Brasília.
He explains that, in the 17th and 18th centuries, his country’s economy was heavily reliant upon pearl trade, a situation that lasted until early 20th century. “At the start of the 1960’s, collectors started to seek these pearls, which had been sold to Indian traders,” says the diplomat.
Alhayki points out that, currently, it is quite difficult finding pearls at the market, which elevates the jewellery price a lot. “A regular necklace, with 30 to 35 pearls and good quality, may cost from US$ 7 million to US$ 10 million,” he says.
The exhibit is divided in two parts. The first approaches natural history of pearls and the trade in the Gulf, Europe and Asia, since ancient times.
The ambassador says that, when pearl trade ran Qatari economy, the business also posed a danger to divers who searched for the jewels. “There were two diving seasons, one could dive for five months per years, but it was too risky to do so with basic equipment,” he says.
The second part of the exhibit will tap into the role pearls had in jewellery and how designs changed throughout the history, also showing the works of contemporary designers.
In fact, among the highlights of the exhibition are several pieces of jewellery made with Gulf pearls by important designers, such as Cartier; actress Elisabeth Taylor’s natural pearls earrings, designed by Bvlgary; and ten European monarchies’ crowns, including one which once belonged to princess Diana’s family, from the United Kingdom.
“The exhibition brings back the memory of a period when the whole region was reliant upon this industry. Pearls are part of the Qatari culture and history,” adds Alhayki.
Service
Pearls (Pérolas)
From July 20th to September 28th
Place: Brazilian Art Museum – Foundation Armando Álvares Penteado (Faap)
Address: Rua Alagoas, 903 São Paulo – SP
From Monday to Friday, from 10am to 7pm, weekends and holidays, from 1pm to 6pm
Free admission
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
