As part of the “Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture” programme, the World Diamond Museum will be hosting Qatar Museums’ (QM) pearl exhibition at the Exhibition Centre of the State Historical Museum in Moscow, from July 11 to October 1, 2018.   

The exhibit, titled “Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers, has been curated specially for the Year of Culture programme. It features over 100 pieces of jewellery and other items made from freshwater pearls of Central Asia. Of these, 50 pieces are “never-before-shown artifacts”.

“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,” the organisers said in a press release. “It chronicles pearl fishing in Qatar, providing an insight into the ancient methods and techniques used by pearl divers and an overview of the pearl trade in the Gulf.”

The Moscow exhibition marks the sixth international presentation of “Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers” – it was last shown in China as part of the “Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture”.

Commenting on the exhibition, its 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.”

Pic Cap: A pearl oyster from Qatar with its pearl inside.
Courtesy: Qatar Museum collections