Mysterious history and use of pearls showcased in Istanbul

The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul will showcase "İnci, Denizdeki Mücevher" (Pearl: A Gem in the Sea) from Oct. 14 to Jan. 10, 2016. Organized in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the exhibition will introduce pearls and pearl accessories from Qatar and other parts of the world with historical information, mythological stories and legends. Under the leadership of Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Es-Sani, the CEO of Qatar Museums, the exhibition will be a visual feast with rare pearls collected over the last 10 years. The event will be held as part of the "2015 Qatar-Turkey Culture Year," which aims to strengthen cultural relations and promote mutual understanding as well as celebrating the common cultural and diplomatic past the two countries share, with contributions coming from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.



The exhibition will feature 100 items brought mostly from Asian, European and Gulf countries. The collection includes pearl oysters, crowns, necklaces and brooches belonging to European royal families and world famous celebrities. Among them, there will be jewels made of natural Gulf pearls, Cartier jewels, Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari pearl rings, Austria Archduke Marie Valerie's crown and the royal crown belonging to a European monarch. The oldest item is a bracelet dating back to the 3rd century. The newest item is "Frozen," an artwork by the German artist Sam Tho-Duong. Highlighting how pearls have a significant role in both Qatari and Ottoman-era jewels, curator Huber Bari said, "The exhibition is a wonderful expression of showing the close bond and cooperation between the two countries. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul is a special place that we can share the passion for pearls continuing for centuries." In the main section of the exhibition, visitors can learn how pearls have been used in different fields throughout history.


The collection includes pearl oysters, crowns, necklaces and brooches belonging to European royal families and famous celebrities. Among them will be jewels made of natural Gulf pearls, Cartier jewels, Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari pearl rings, Austria Archduke Marie Valerie's crown and a royal crown belonging to a European monarch.

While pearls were a symbol of power and status in antiquity, they became a vehicle to express luxury in the Medieval Ages. Another section refers to legends and stories on pearls that were described as "The tears of the Gods" among American Indians and "a gem in the sea," as pearls are believed to be made from grits in certain geographies. Under the light of scientific developments, the exhibition informs visitors about the natural formation of pearls. Visitors also learn about the significance of pearls in natural history as well as hunting and trade traditions in Gulf countries. For years, Gulf pearls have been seen as among the most precious and high quality pearls of the world. Throughout history, divers and traders have used different methods to extract pearls. Another section showcases the materials that help detect the value of a pearl. The importance of pearls in the Gulf region, especially in Qatar, is another subject explored in the exhibition. In recent archeological excavations, it was demonstrated that pearl hunting in Qatar dates back 7,000 years ago, long before the discovery of natural resources. Divers used to hunt pearls on the Persian Gulf. The exhibition shows that the pearl trade, which was practiced in Europe and China for 3,000 years, is one of the main incomes for certain countries, like Qatar, and has a big role in the region's rich history.

Included in UNESCO World Heritage List last year, Qatar's northwestern city of Al Zubarah has a rich history of pearl hunting traditions. The exhibition was previously held in Qatar, Japan, Brazil and the U.K. and received critical acclaim. It is among the most important projects of the Qatar Museums. Designed by Qatari experts, the exhibition continues its journey in Istanbul, where East meets West. It will bring unique objects and items reflecting the common history of Turkey and Qatar. Visitors will witness the history of Qatar, which pays respect to its history through the exhibition. The Qatar Museums prioritize arts, traditions, common understanding and harmonizing different cultures, as the exhibition has already visited many cities. The exhibition can be visited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.