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    TheMarker Cafeגל עובדשיווק באינטרנטThe New Exhibit at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum: Where Past, Present and...

    The New Exhibit at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum: Where Past, Present and Future Meet

    The New Exhibit at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum: Where Past, Present and Future Meet

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    0 תגובות   יום רביעי, 24/9/08, 13:15
     The New Exhibit at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum: A Meeting of Past,
     Present and Future

    04.09.08 / Israel


    On September 12th a new exhibit called “Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver” will be launched at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum of the Israel Diamond Institute Group. The exhibit will display ancient jewelry discovered at archaeological excavations in Israel, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Some are slightly worse for wear, but others look as if they were created by a jeweler just yesterday.

     

    Shmuel Schnitzer, Chairman of the Museum’s Board, is pleased with the renovated museum’s success since it reopened its doors some six months ago. Since the official opening in February, no less than 15,000 people have visited the museum, including many tourists, guests and buyers of Israel Diamond Exchange members, school children, soldiers and the general public.

     

    Schnitzer is clearly excited about the new exhibit. “The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum is truly unique, and it depicts the history of the diamond via cutting edge technologies and modern instruments. It is important to emphasize the link between ancient Israelite artwork and an ever-changing reality. An impressive jewelry culture thrived in the Land of Israel, and it is only fitting that we draw upon it.”

     

    Schnitzer proposes that we examine the differences and the similarities between modern-day jewelry and ancient jewelry worn in the Land of Israel. “What we see is an interesting combination of old and new. I think it is important to study ancient jewelry in order to create a new culture that is inspired by historical jewelry making and tradition.”

     

    The Diamond Museum’s future is quite clear to Schnitzer: “We are determined to keep our fingers on the pulse in order to ensure that the museum utilizes all of the latest international innovations in the field of museology. Today, from the aspect of diamonds, our museum is the most advanced in the world, to a great extent thanks to its curator Yehuda Kassif, who is first class.”

     

    Shmuel’s father, the late Moshe Schnitzer who passed away a year ago, envisioned the museum.“We continue to realize his dream. Our industry could not be whole without a museum. Just recently a high-ranking delegation from Botswana visited Israel. The delegates said that they were taking back two important messages: The first is the level of security provided within the Diamond Exchange compound, and the second is the inspiration to establish a sophisticated museum like ours in their own country. I think that says it all.”
    ancient gold earring
     Mariana Salzburg     Enlarge
    A golden earring decorated with pearls.

    The exhibit’s curator and the Israel Diamond Institute Group’s jewelry promotion director, Yehuda Kassif, explains that the Hebrew language signals the importance of gold jewelry for our ancient forefathers. “There are 40 words or terms that define jewelry and gemstones in the Hebrew language. Every language develops extensive terminology when details are vital to a specific area. The wide range of terms and names points to the importance of the jewelry field in ancient times.”

     

    Gold is interwoven into Judaism from the very beginning, and it is already mentioned in the description of the Garden of Eden. There is no lack of other examples: Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, offered Rebecca gold jewelry. The People of Israel made the Golden Calf from molten gold, and later contributed gold jewelry for the construction of the Tabernacle. The High Priest’s accessories were made of gold, from the diadem resting on his head, through his vest which was interlaced with gold threads, to the golden breastplate embedded with precious stones. The ornate vessels used in the Holy Temple were also golden.

     

    In ancient times gold served for ornamentation, commerce and as a means to glorify temples. Gold was also used for practical purposes and as useful jewelry; for example, a gold pin could be used to attach parts of clothing. Gold also had ceremonial value: Joseph, for example, received precious jewelry from Pharaoh, which fortified his status. Great importance was always attributed to the king’s golden stamp. And according to legend, King Solomon wore a unique golden ring.

     

    Many of the jewelry items on display were found in burial caves in the Land of Israel. Often, gold jewelry was melted down, and therefore it was not preserved. But jewelry buried along with the deceased in order to accompany him on his journey to his new life was preserved – that is why these items were found mostly in these areas.

     

    Kassif notes: “The influence of other peoples and cultures on jewelry discovered here is noticeable. The Israelite merchant had to adjust himself to fashion ‘trends’ that prevailed in the ancient world. In other areas of commerce, very much like today, the local manufacturer studied the needs of the market to which he aspired to export. For example, Yehuda HaNasi, the sage who wrote the holy book of the Mishnah, was also a shrewd businessman. He planted an orchard of persimmons and exported the fruit to Rome because he knew that the Romans loved fragrances.”

     

    Kassif summarizes: “The exhibit covers many periods from the year 3000 B.C. to the year 1500 A.D., from the period of our ancient forefathers to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Nevertheless, it has no chronological order. The exhibit is not organized according to historical periods or lands of origin. It is laid out in the manner of a store keeper who sets up an enticing display in his shop window in order to stimulate an emotional experience. I hope we have succeeded in achieving this effect.” 

     

     
    By: Rachel Lieberma
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