WAM Jewels of the Nile

When the Eldest came to visit last month, we went to the Worcester Art Museum to see the Jewels of the Nile exhibit.

The day we visited was the start of a heatwave so the exhibit was quite crowded as people sought relief from the heat. The crowd made it difficult to get photos with descriptions.

The jewels came to WAM through a donation from Laura Norcross Marrs in 1925. Mrs. Marrs was a noted patron of the arts at the turn of the 19th century, and she was an avid art collector. On a trip to Egypt in 1908, she and her husband, Kingsmill Marrs met and befriended, Howard Carter. Yeah, that Howard Carter who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Carter advised them on purchasing antiquities, particularly jewelry which was legal at that time.

The Marrs collection was quite extensive and is on exhibit in its entirety for the first time in a century. 

The exhibit also had some interactive features such as being able to touch and feel various semi-precious stones. Rose Quartz for the Eldest because she loves the color pink

Lapis Lazuli for me

and Amethyst because it's pretty.

Hematite when polished is used to burnish gold leaf in gilding.

I didn't get a description of this painting, but this woman reminded me of Ma and the aunties when they got all dressed up with their earrings and jewelry.

Of course, I made sure to get a picture of the Cat

You should be able to embiggen the description of the Cat

A collection of glass make-up, perfume pots, and jars

Correspondence between Howard Carter and the Marrs. I was interested in the penmanship.

Carter was not only an archeologist, but also a watercolorist. Mrs. Marrs purchased many of his watercolors.

The Jewels of the Nile will be on exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum until January 29, 2023. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by.