What do diamonds and art have in common?

This exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings together the opulence, elegance and fantasy of that era including diamonds the size of gum balls, rich textiles, paintings with pure gold and ornate pottery.

Art that Sparkles

1. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend: The exhibition starts with drool worthy diamonds that would make even Elizabeth Taylor swoon. This 17th century blue diamond is 70 carats ( that is not a typo) and Harry Winston set the gem set into the necklace.
2. The original Moby Dick: Traditional Indian court paintings depicted Princes in successful battle scenes, This is actually a watercolor in laid with gold. It is incredibly intricate and I have no idea how they create those luxurious details.
3. Get close and personal: The museum provided magnifying glasses ( you had to return them at the end of the gallery. By far this was our favorite part. We loved being handed a “toy” to use and also they usually yell at you if you get this close to paintings, so it was refreshing to  be encouraged to study the details.
4. Not your grandma’s vase: This is water pipe base. What is that? Yes, it is what you are thinking… it is a very fancy thingy for smoking pot. What ever your thoughts are on that, it is still a gorgeous vase and I love the lotus flowers