Jewelry News

Golden Treasures at The Met

June 25, 2009

On June 23, a glittering new exhibit opened at The Metropolitan Museum in New York - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul. The collection includes many golden pieces that were discovered either in archeological digs or in a vault in the presidential palace, where citizens hid the treasures to protect them from the ravages of war.

The exhibition celebrates the unique role of Afghanistan as a center for both the reception of diverse cultural elements and the creation of original styles of art that combine multiple stylistic materials - such as the Hellenized examples from the second-century B.C. city of Aï Khanum, the array of trade goods found in the first-century city of Begram, and the astonishing nomadic gold found in the hoard at Tillya Tepe, which also dates to the first century.

Golden jewels, belts, crowns, daggers, rings, pendants, bowls and more make up the collection that also includes many non-gold items made from glass, ivory and gemstones. But it's the gold that makes it all shine.

The exhibit will be at The Met until September 20th and is included in the price of admission.

Click here for more historical background on this important artifact collection and don't forget to add a little gold to your own jewelry box by visiting Jewelry.com's huge selection of glittering gold gems.

They may not be thousands of years old, but they look great with a little black dress.

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