Must See: The Collection of Barbara Berger @ MadMuseum

I recently had the pleasure of visiting

Mad Museum’s current exhibition: Fashion Jewelry – The Collection of Barbara Berger.

Barbara Berger has been collecting since she was a teenager – with one of her first pieces being a pair of Chanel earrings at a flea market!

She holds one of the largest and finest collections of couture jewelry in the world. Of her 4,000+ private collection, Barbara has selected 450+ pieces to exhibit at Mad Museum through September 22nd, 2013.

It was truly a pleasure to see these pieces, as I believe these works encapsulate an essential element of AurumEve’s perspective – taking humble materials and molding to show their great beauty.

Of course, Mr. McFadden of Mad Museum says it more eloquently …

“Costume jewelry takes humble materials, often without inherent value, and transforms them into works of great beauty“.

David McFadden, Chief Curator, Museum of Arts and Design

 If you are in the New York City area, visit – if not, here is a little something to treat your eyes!

 

 

SELECTED PIECES FROM THE EXHIBITION

Unknown Designer

Leaf Necklace, brooch

c.1965

Glass, metal

Unknown designer

(France)

Necklace

c. 1930

Glass, simulated pearls, metal

Miriam Haskell

(USA)

Necklace

c. 1960

Glass, simulated pearls, metal

Miriam Haskell

by Robert F. Clark

(USA)

Necklace

c. 1960

Glass, metalAlan Anderson

for House of Lavande

(Canada)

Necklace

2008-09

Glass, metal

Yves Saint Laurent

by Roger Scemama

(France)

Necklace

c.1960

Glass, metal

Maison Gripoix

(France)

Necklace

C. 2000

Glass, metal

(reissue of 1950s design)

Hobe’

(USA)

brooch, Thibetan Chessman

1944

Glass, painted simulated ivory, metal

Har

(USA)

Bracelet

1959

Glass, Lucite, enameled metal

A video introduction from MAD Museum!

The Collection of Barbara Berger @ the Museum of Art and Design

through September 22nd, 2013

2 Columbus Circle

New York, NY

All images courtesy of Mad Museum.

Photography by Raymond Bourraine.