Visiting- Out Of This World! Jewelry In The Space Age

Out Of This World! Jewelry In The Space Age

The Forbes Galleries, New York City

March 16-September 7, 2013

Guest Curator, Elyse Zorn Karlin

The Forbes Galleries could not be a more perfect gallery space for viewing jewelry. The exhibit is located on the ground floor just off the lobby of Forbes Magazine headquarters in Greenwich Village and is one of several shows currently on view.

Rocket Ship Brooch
Unknown maker, 1960s Platinum, diamond
Lang Antiques, San Francisco

 Although this is primarily a Jewelry Exhibit, it has wide appeal—bring the kids! Coins, commemorative pins and ephemera create a context for the jewelry that illustrates the timelessness of human wonder about the heavens (AKA Outer Space). Anyone interested in space pop-culture dating back to late nineteenth century would enjoy the exhibit. To those visitors who may be unfamiliar with the diversity of the world of jewelry, the show is a primer on the wide range of techniques and materials employed by the industry and jewelry artists.

Tampa Necklace
Van Cleef & Arpels, French
White and yellow gold with round, baguette and rose-cut diamond, round pink,
purple and yellow sapphire, rose-cut blue sapphire, onyx, round orange garnet,
round red spinel and round beryl.
Private Collection

Jewelry fans will delight in a wonderful mix of costume fashion jewelry, artisan jewelry and fine jewelry made from precious metals and gemstones. Examples range from the most exquisite precious like the Tampa Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co Schlumberger to base metal costume, to pieces made from modern materials like polymer clay, fiber optic and space metals (to name a few).

Star Burst Clip Brooch
Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co., American, post–1956
Gold, diamond, ruby, mabe pearl Tiffany & Co. Archive

Also included are newer pieces by contemporary jewelry designers.

Star Pendant
Steven Kretchmer, American
Diamond, polarium, platinum, 20k gold, 18k yellow gold
Courtesy of the artist

Elyse Zorn Carlin has curated a diverse mix of pieces, old and new, that beautifully illustrates the artful expression of the Space Age through the jewelry medium. This show is a refreshing reminder that jewelry can be playful and whimsical and that it’s not always about the ‘bling’.

The Forbes Gallery is a gem! The downtown location makes it a perfect starting point for a day exploring  Lower Manhattan. Admission is free. 

 The Forbes Galleries

62 Fifth Avenue (at 12th Street)
New York City
Tuesday – Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

212-206-5548